The Maine DOE is proposing a new rule to implement the teacher and principal effectiveness law enacted in 2012. The proposed rule is Chapter 180, “Performance Evaluation and Professional Growth Systems.”
Rule Chapter 180 establishes standards and procedures for implementation of performance evaluation and professional growth systems (PE/PG systems) for teachers and principals. Legislation enacted in 2012 requires each school administrative unit (SAU) to develop, pilot and implement PE/PG systems over a period of three years, with full implementation of the systems no later than the 2015-16 school year. The new law is codified in Title 20-A, Chapter 508.
The purpose of a PE/PG system is to improve educator effectiveness by clearly setting forth expectations for professional practice and student learning and growth, and providing actionable feedback and support to help educators meet those expectations.
The new law requires the Department to adopt rules to implement the law and to address specific aspects of the new PE/PG systems. The rule establishes Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium standards as the standard of effectiveness for teachers, and Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium standards as the standard of effectiveness for principals. Any set of standards aligned with those standards may be used in implementing a PE/PG system.
The rule sets forth criteria that must be met by any student learning and growth measures used to determine an educator’s effectiveness rating, including a requirement that the measure relates to growth, not achievement, and a prohibition against using standardized tests as the sole measure of student learning and growth. The rule also provides guidance on when student learning and growth measures are considered to be a “significant factor” in determining an educator’s effectiveness rating, a standard that is required by statute.
The rule sets forth the process for obtaining Department approval of PE/PG systems, implementation requirements including requirements for involvement of educators, required connections between evaluations and professional development opportunities, and other matters.
The proposed rule is available online.
A public hearing will be held Wednesday, Nov. 13 from 9 to 11 a.m. in Room 500 of the Cross State Office Building, 111 Sewall Street in Augusta.
Written comments must be submitted by Monday, Nov. 25 at 5 p.m. to Deborah Friedman at deborah.friedman@maine.gov or:
Deborah Friedman
Director, Policy and Programs
Maine Department of Education
23 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0023