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What is the status of Teacher Evaluations in Arizona for the 2019-2020 school year due to Covid-19?
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Here is the memo that was sent out by the Arizona Department of Education on Friday, April 10th, 2020 which does not change the law for evaluations except using data from state-wide tests:
Background
SB 1693/HB 2910 cancels statewide testing if the Governor issues a statewide closure of schools
beyond March 29, 2020. On March 30, 2020 the Governor closed schools through the end of the
2019-2020 school year.
The school closure and cancellation of the statewide assessment may impact teacher and
principal evaluation systems; specifically, the frequency of the evaluations and the data used to
calculate the evaluations. The Legislature did not waive requirements for evaluations. By statute,
evaluation systems are required to:
• Result in at least one evaluation of each teacher by a qualified evaluator every school
year;
• For both teachers and principals, include the use of quantitative data on the academic
progress for all students, which shall account for between 20% and 33% of the evaluation
outcomes;
• For teachers, include at least one classroom observation unless the teacher is highly
effective or effective based on the first classroom observation and the school district or
charter school waives the second classroom observation;
• Include four performance classifications: Highly effective, effective, developing and
ineffective.
As a reminder, the statewide evaluation framework was repealed in 2019. Evaluation systems are
adopted by local education agencies within statutory parameters, including those listed above.
Guidance
• Schools should attempt to conduct an evaluation of each teacher by a qualified evaluator.
• Schools are encouraged to conduct the evaluation remotely or in any available manner
that adheres to the most recent guidance from public health officials.
• If classroom observations are required, schools are encouraged to conduct them remotely
or in any available manner that adheres to the most recent guidance from public health
officials. If classroom observations are not possible due to the school closure, schools
may rely on other indicators to determine the teacher’s effectiveness.
• Without a statewide assessment, schools may use other quantitative data available, which
may include but is not limited to, data from benchmark assessments, summative
assessments, formative assessments, student learning objectives and aggregate team,
grade, or school-level data.