Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/426191
AEA Advocate x Winter 2014/15 21 to make sure evaluations are fair assessments of your performance. AEA is helping its locals work on evaluation and appeal language this year. Know your statutory rights concerning evaluations An evaluation consists of 2 or more observations where you are demonstrating teaching skills. • Your formal observations must be of a complete and uninterrupted lesson. A.R.S. § 15-537(E)(1). • Your first and last observation must be at least sixty calendar days apart. A.R.S. § 15-537(E)(1). • Your district may waive the second classroom observation if you are a highly effective or effective continuing teacher, but you can request a second observation. A.R.S. § 15-537(F) • No observation can be conducted within two instructional days of any scheduled break of one week or more. A.R.S. § 15-537(E)(1) You have the right to: – Receive written (hand or electronic) feedback from the observer within ten days of each observation. A.R.S. § 15-537(E)(1) – Receive specific and reasonable plans for improved teacher performance. A.R.S. § 15-537(E)(2) – Confer with the qualified evaluator or another board designee to make specific recommendations as to areas of improvement in your performance. A.R.S. § 15-537(H) – Appeal an evaluation if the evaluation is used to determine compensation. A.R.S. § 15-537(E)(3) – Receive a copy of the annual written evaluation within five days after completion of the evaluation. A.R.S. § 15-537(G) – Submit a written reaction or response to the evaluation. A.R.S. § 15-537(G) – Keep your evaluation private. It cannot be released except to you, your district staff who have a reason to see it, other districts and charter schools interested in employing you; or a court where your performance is at issue. A.R.S. § 15-537(I) Starting in 2015-16, your district must issue a preliminary notice of inadequacy of classroom performance no later than the second consecutive year you are rated as either "developing" or "ineffective." To be dismissed or nonrenewed for inadequate performance, the following must happen: • You are observed in a complete and uninterrupted lesson and rated as inadequate, A.R.S. § 15-537(E) or you are classified after 15-16, as developing or ineffective for 2 consecutive years, if you are not working in your first or second year with a school district or teaching a new subject or grade level. A.R.S. § 15-537(C)(2) • The district issues a written preliminary notice of inadequacy of classroom performance of a period of at least 45 instructional days, specifying the nature of the inadequacy with such particularity as to furnish you an opportunity to correct inadequacies and maintain adequate classroom performance. A.R.S. § 15-538(A). The preliminary notice of inadequacy of classroom performance shall be accompanied by a performance improvement plan designed to help you correct inadequacies and demonstrate adequate classroom performance. A.R.S. § 15-538(B). Be sure to contact your local association or www.aeahelpdesk.org if you are given a Preliminary Notice. • The district completes an observation at the conclusion of the 45-day performance improvement plan issued with the preliminary notice. A.R.S. § 15-538(A). – If the performance is adequate, then you are removed off the plan, and there are no further employment consequences. If you do not demonstrate adequate performance, then the District will issue notice of intention to dismiss or not to reemploy that includes a copy of any valid evaluation pertinent to the charges made. A.R.S. § 15-538(A) – If you are a Probationary teacher, then you can be nonrenewed at the end of the school year. A.R.S. § 15-536(B). There is no right to appeal this nonrenewal. A.R.S. § 15-536(B). If you are a continuing teacher at any time, or if you are a probationary teacher facing midyear dismissal, then your governing board Continued on next page