Retaining Effective Teachers Policy
Illinois requires that a copy of the evaluation is included in the teacher's personnel file and that a copy is given to the teacher. In addition, the evaluation plan must include the specification of the teacher's strengths and weaknesses and supporting reasons for the comments made. The state also specifies that professional development activities for teachers with "needs improvement" or "unsatisfactory evaluations" must be aligned with findings from teacher evaluations.
Ensure that professional development is aligned with findings from teachers' evaluations.
While Illinois has taken steps to ensure that teachers with unsatisfactory evaluations receive coordinated professional development based on these findings, the state should strengthen this policy by requiring that all teachers receive professional development that is aligned with their evaluation results.
Illinois recognized the factual accuracy of this analysis. The state added that it will need to develop this as it moves forward with its evaluation system.