Identifying Effective Teachers Policy
Commendably, Colorado now requires annual evaluations for all teachers.
New teachers in Colorado must receive at least two documented observations and one evaluation that result in a written evaluation report each academic year. The state does not articulate when these observations should occur.
Base evaluations on multiple observations.
To guarantee that annual evaluations are based on an adequate collection of information, Colorado should require multiple observations for all teachers, even those who have nonprobationary status.
Ensure that new teachers are observed and receive feedback early in the school year.
It is critical that schools and districts closely monitor the performance of new teachers. Colorado should ensure that its new teachers get the support they need and that supervisors know early on which new teachers may be struggling or at risk for unacceptable levels of performance.
Colorado recognized the factual accuracy of this analysis.