Appraisal Basis for Texas Teachers
Posted by Pamela Parker
Texas public school teachers go through the annual ritual of the state mandated appraisal system. Although the process can be stressful, knowing the rules and being prepared if you encounter a problem can make things go much more smoothly.
Texas public school teachers are appraised yearly. Here's a quick review of what to expect and what you can do if there are problems. All classroom teachers must be appraised on the basis of classroom teaching performance, in an area for which they hold certification if at all possible. Teachers should be appraised every year, unless the teacher has been appraised as proficient or better in every category on the most recent appraisal. If so, the teacher and district may agree to do an appraisal less often, but at least every five years. The teacher appraisal cannot include evaluation of extracurricular duties, although there may be a separate appraisal document covering those duties. The appraisal may be based on classroom observation, periodic walk-throughs, and written documentation. The documentation may be gathered from any source, as long as the teacher is informed it may be used on the appraisal. Either the teacher or the appraiser may request a pre- or post-observation conference. If you have unusual circumstances in your classroom, you should always request a pre-observation conference so that you can prepare the appraiser for what will be happening in your class. Material for the appraisal may be gathered during the entire school year, but formal observations may not be held during:
1. the first two weeks of instruction;
2. the last day of instruction before a school holiday; and
3. any other day deemed inappropriate by the local school board. If you have concerns about any observation, written documentation or appraisal report, you must deal with those concerns right away. There are slight differences in your options depending on whether your district uses the state developed PDAS instrument or a locally developed instrument, but the bottom line, always, is don't wait more than a few days to respond. If your district uses the PDAS, submit a written response after receiving: a written observation summary; a written summative annual appraisal report; and/or any other written appraisal document. The response or must be submitted within 10 working days of receiving a written appraisal document, or, at the discretion of the appraiser, within 15 working days. A teacher may request a second appraisal by a different appraiser after receiving: a written observation summary with which the teacher disagrees; and/or
a written summative annual appraisal report with which the teacher disagrees. The second appraisal must be requested within 10 working days of receiving a written observation summary or a written summative annual appraisal report, or at the discretion of the appraiser, within 15 working days. The second appraisal may replace the first, or the two scores may be averaged, or the second appraisal may simply be added to the teacher's appraisal file as an additional document. These are locally determined matters. If your district uses a locally developed appraisal processes, after receiving a written copy of the evaluation, a teacher is entitled to:
a second appraisal by a different appraiser; and
submit a written rebuttal for attachment to the evaluation. A teacher may file a grievance regarding an unsatisfactory appraisal result under the local grievance policy. Specific rules, timelines and procedures will be found in the local district policy. A grievance should be considered if any of the following have occurred:
the appraisal result is very poor;
irrelevant information or bias results in a negative appraisal; or
written rules or procedures have not been followed. Pamela Parker is a Texas attorney, speaker and author who regularly represents public school teachers. http://ThePeopleLawyer.com
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