Identifying Effective Teachers Policy
Nevada is on the right track in connecting tenure decisions to evidence of teacher effectiveness.
The state now requires that probationary teachers show two years of satisfactory performance on each teacher evaluation within a three-year period before they earn tenure. Because Nevada's teacher evaluation ratings are centered primarily on evidence of student learning (see Goal 3-B), basing tenure decisions on these evaluation ratings ensures that classroom effectiveness is appropriately considered.
Ensure the probationary period is adequate.
To ensure tenure decisions are based on adequate assessment and sufficient evidence of teacher effectiveness in the classroom, Nevada should consider extending the time before teachers can earn tenure, making certain that probationary teachers earn at least three consecutive "effective" ratings prior to the award of tenure.
Nevada recognized the factual accuracy of this analysis.