Identifying Effective Teachers Policy
Commendably, all teachers in Louisiana must now be evaluated annually.
However, the state's policy does not outline when evaluations should occur for new teachers.
Base evaluations on multiple observations.
To guarantee that annual evaluations are based on an adequate collection of information, Louisiana 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. Louisiana 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.
Louisiana recognized the factual accuracy of this analysis. The state added that the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) is expected to adopt policy providing regulations around the implementation of the new teacher and leader evaluation system in December 2011.