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What is the status of Teacher Evaluations in Washington for the 2019-2020 school year due to Covid-19?
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According to the Washington Dept. of Education:
Please go to https://www.k12.wa.us/about-ospi/press-releases/novel-coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-resources and then Principal and Teacher Evaluations for further information
Due to the impacts of COVID-19 and the unprecedented action to close schools for a significant period, OSPI is providing guidance to districts, schools, and local associations about teacher and principal evaluation for the 2019–20 school year. This guidance is provided today with the assumption that school will resume on April 27. Should that not be the case, OSPI will provide updated guidance.
Guiding Principles
District, school, and association leaders are encouraged to use good judgment regarding evaluation and keep in perspective where this sits within the priorities of the current reality and the future horizon. In addition, given that both teachers and principals are concerned about their students, staff, family, and personal well-being, it is important to honor work that has already been done by the evaluatee and the evaluator to provide and/or substantiate evidence. It is also important to recognize that the evaluation period has ended before its normal completion, and that the absence of evidence for a particular indicator, component, or student growth component should not be cause for lowering a score.
The chart below, as well as the information included in state law (Revised Code of Washington [RCW] 28A.405.100), should cover most situations. Educators are encouraged to reach out to OSPI with specific questions.
Classroom Teacher and Principal Evaluation Guidance Item
Recommended Action
1. Evaluatees whose evidence demonstrates “Proficient” or “Distinguished” rating at the date of school closure or most recent date of progress review – Move those ratings to final summative score for the 2019–20 school year
2. Evaluatees with zero to five years’ experience whose evidence indicates a rating of “Basic” at the date of school closure or most recent date of progress review – Move the “Basic” rating to final summative rating for the 2019–20 school year
3. Evaluatees with more than five years’ experience whose evidence indicates a score of “Basic” at the date of school closure or most recent date of progress review – Handled locally on case-by-case basis OR No final score with a letter placed in personnel file describing extenuating circumstances
4. Evaluatees at any level of experience whose evidence indicates a score of “Unsatisfactory” at the date of school closure or most recent date of progress review – Handled locally on a case-by-case basis
5. Evaluatees on probation or plan of improvement – Handled locally on a case-by-case basis
6. Evaluatees on Focused Evaluation – Retain score for final summative evaluation