Alternative Educator Evaluation Systems

Background on Alternative Educator Evaluation Systems in Delaware

The Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) recognizes educators’ professional growth and continuous learning is central to its efforts to prepare students for college, careers, and life success. Toward this end, over the past three decades, Delaware has implemented the Delaware Performance Appraisal System (DPAS-II), an annual statewide educator evaluation system. In an effort to strengthen the system, the DDOE has refined DPAS-II through feedback (annual surveys, interviews, committees, etc.) from teachers, specialists, and administrators. These refinements have largely provided opportunities for discretion and local control of the system to create an evaluation process that is authentic and meaningful to educators.

In addition to these opportunities for local control within the DPAS-II system, the Department has developed a process where districts and charter schools can utilize an alternative system if deeper customization is desired. Beginning in the 2013-2014 school year, the DDOE approved four charter schools to implement an alternative teacher evaluation model. These schools sought to dramatically improve student achievement with a more differentiated focus on teachers’ needs and an increased cultivation of a culture centered on feedback and professional learning. Based on the progress of the initial cohort, the Department received subsequent interest from multiple charter schools and a traditional district to design and develop systems tailored to their local context.

The Department welcomes applications from Local Education Agencies (LEAs) interested in creating their own evaluation models and processes in the spirit of increasing differentiated educator support and accountability and, ultimately, increased levels of student achievement.  Applications may be for teacher, specialist, assistant principal, principal, district leader and/or superintendent evaluation systems.  All applications must comply with requirements outlined in Delaware state code and any additional guidance provided by the Delaware Department of Education.  All educator evaluation systems must be state-approved.  Visit the pages (linked below) for additional information related to:

• Application, Modification, and Renewal Instructions for Use in the 2019-20 School Year
• Reporting & On-Site Visit Information for the 2018-19 School Year

Questions on Alternative Educator Evaluation Systems?

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