Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/426191
22 Winter 2014/15 x AEA Advocate how doeS STudenT daTa IMPaCT evaluaTIonS? ADVOCACY CORNER Over the last few years, the Arizona legislature has mandated that objective student data (usually test data) be incorporated into both evaluations and the allocation of performance pay. For evaluations, districts must adopt an evaluation system that has a plan for the appropriate use of quantitative data of student academic progress in evaluations of all certificated teachers. A.R.S. § 15-537(E)(5). Furthermore, the State Board of Education had to adopt a model evaluation framework for a teacher and principal evaluation instrument that includes quantitative data on student academic progress that accounts for between thirty-three percent and fifty percent of the evaluation outcomes. A.R.S. § 15-203(A)(38). 1 School districts and charter schools shall use an evaluation instrument that meets the data requirements established by the state board of education. Then to complete the evaluation, Districts must then classify teachers into one of four performance classifications as defined by the State Board of Education as highly effective, effective, developing, or ineffective. Id. Therefore, thirty-three to fifty percent of your ultimate performance classification as highly effective, effective, developing, or ineffective is determined by quantitative data on student academic progress. How Does Student Data Impact Your Performance Pay ("301 Money")? State law requires that thirty- three to fifty percent of your ultimate performance classification is determined by quantitative data on student academic progress. This use of student objective data in evaluations impacts not only your performance classification, but also your 301 performance pay. By the 2014-2015 school year, your performance classification must determine part of the 301 money (Fund 12 in the Classroom Site Fund). A.R.S. § 15-977(B). Specifically, unless the District's Governing Board votes otherwise in a public meeting, the teacher's performance classification shall account for 33% of the allocation of the 301 money from Fund 12. A.R.S. § 15-977(C)(2). 2 If your performance classification determines 33 percent of your 301 payment from Fund 12, and quantitative data on student academic progress determined 33 to 50% of your performance classification, then the quantitative data on student academic progress will affect the total available 301 money paid from Fund 12. However, while your performance classification will determine 33% of your 301 payment, the remaining 301 money can be allocated by the other factors, such as school district performance and school performance, measures of academic progress toward the academic standards adopted by the state board of education, other measures of academic progress, dropout or graduation rates, attendance rates, ratings of school quality by parents or students, and the input of teachers and administrators. A.R.S. § 15-977. 2 must give you a notice of the intention to dismiss. A.R.S. § 15-539(C). You will have a right to a hearing if you file a written request with the governing board within ten days of service of notice of dismissal. A.R.S. § 15-539(F). 2 1 View Arizona Framework at http://bit.ly/1vqA2bw. 2 A school district governing board may modify this requirement or any other requirement in A.R.S. § 15-977(C) at a public hearing. See A.R.S. § 15-977(E). A district would still have to comply with A.R.S. § 15-977(B). Evaluation Tips, cont. from page 21