Frequency of Evaluations : New Mexico

Analysis of New Mexico's policies

Regrettably, New Mexico does not ensure that all teachers are evaluated annually.

Once teachers attain Level II or Level III status, a summative performance evaluation is only required every three years, unless teacher performance indicates otherwise. 

Level I teachers must be evaluated annually.

The state articulates that all evaluations must be comprised of at least one classroom observation. New Mexico's policy does not offer guidance as to when evaluations should occur for new teachers. 

Citation

New Mexico Administrative Code 6.69.4.8C, .10D Guidelines for Performance Evaluations http://teachnm.org/experienced-teachers/annual-evaluation/annual-evaluation-guidelines-for-performance-evaluation.html

Recommendations for New Mexico

Require annual formal evaluations for all teachers.
All teachers in New Mexico should be evaluated annually. Rather than treated as mere formalities, these teacher evaluations should serve as important tools for rewarding good teachers, helping average teachers improve and holding weak teachers accountable for poor performance.  

Base evaluations on multiple observations.
To guarantee that annual evaluations are based on an adequate collection of information, New Mexico 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. New Mexico 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.

State response to our analysis

New Mexico was helpful in providing NCTQ with the facts necessary for this analysis.