Teacher and Principal Evaluation Policy
The data and analysis on this page is from 2019. View and download the most recent policy data and analysis on Principal Evaluation and Observation in Nevada from the State of the States 2022: Teacher and Principal Evaluation Policies report.
Evaluation Frequency: Nevada requires that all principals are evaluated annually. However, for principals who receive a highly effective rating for two consecutive years, the final summative evaluation requirement is waived the following year. During the subsequent school year, those who have met this criterion will continue to participate in the observation cycle for formative evaluation and professional growth purposes.
Observation/Site Visit Requirements: Nevada requires observation, and it requires multiple observations for some principals depending on the previous evaluation rating. For probationary principals in year one, three observations are required. For year two, if effective or highly effective the previous year, then two observations are required. For year three, if effective or highly effective the first two years, then one observation is required. If rated minimally effective or ineffective, then three observations are required the following year.
For nonprobationary principals, if rated minimally effective or ineffective the previous year, then three observations are required. If rated effective or highly effective, then one observation is required.
Evaluator Training: Nevada does not include any training requirements in state policy.
Require annual formal evaluations for all principals.
All principals in Nevada should be evaluated annually, even those who receive the highest ratings on previous evaluations. Rather than treated as mere formalities, these principal evaluations should serve as important tools for rewarding good principals, helping average principals improve, and holding weak principals accountable for poor performance.
Require multiple observations/site visits for all principals.
To ensure that annual evaluations are based on adequate information, Nevada should require multiple observations/site visits for all principals.
Require all principal evaluators to be both trained and certified.
All principal evaluators in Nevada should be trained and certified to conduct teacher evaluations on systems that include objective measures. Ensuring that all principals are appropriately trained and certified in conducting teacher evaluations will help ensure that all principals are able to provide their teachers with fair and valid evaluations.
Nevada was helpful in providing NCTQ with the facts necessary for this analysis.
7H: Principal Evaluation and Observation
Research demonstrates that there is a clear link between school leadership and school outcomes.[1] Principals foster school improvement by shaping school goals, policies and practices, and social and organizational structures.[2] Principals vary significantly in their effectiveness, and research suggests that high-quality principals positively affect student achievement, in-school discipline, parents' perceptions of schools, and school climates.[3] Further, principals affect teacher retention and recruitment;[4] effective principals are more adept at retaining effective teachers and removing ineffective teachers.[5] The time principals spend on organizational management, instructional programming, and teacher evaluation is critically important for positive effects on teachers and students.[6] Because principals are an essential component of creating successful schools, their effectiveness should be regularly evaluated by trained evaluators on systems that include objective measures. Such systems will help to ensure that all principals receive the feedback and support necessary to improve their practice and, ultimately, student and school outcomes.