Retaining Effective Teachers Policy
Maryland requires that teachers receive written evaluation reports following an evaluation. Although, the state specifies that professional development plans will be provided for teachers identified as not on track to qualify for tenure, Maryland does not connect professional development activities to the results of teacher evaluations.
Ensure that professional development is aligned with findings from teachers' evaluations.
Professional development that is not informed by evaluation results may be of little value to teachers' professional growth and aim of increasing their effectiveness in the classroom. Maryland should ensure that districts utilize teacher evaluation results in determining professional development needs and activities.
Require that evaluation systems provide teachers with feedback about their performance.
Although Maryland requires teachers to receive copies of their evaluations, this only ensures that teachers will receive their ratings, not necessarily feedback on their performance. Maryland should specify that teachers should receive specific feedback on identified strengths and areas that need improvement.
Maryland recognized the factual accuracy of this analysis.