This document is an orientation manual for the Career Ladder Counselor Evaluation System, a part of the Tennessee Career Ladder Better Schools Program. The evaluation system for guidance counselors was developed by using the best ideas from educational research and from counselors in Tennessee. The system was field tested in the fall of 1985. Described and contained in this report are: (1) fundamental beliefs and principles; (2) levels of the career ladder; (3) domains of competence; (4) competencies and indicators; (5) multiple data sources; (6) evaluation processes for Levels II and III; (7) visits by evaluators; (8) peer nomination forms; (9) professional development and leadership summary forms; (10) the Tennessee Career Ladder Test; (11) scoring and equating the test; (12) notification of results; (13) rights of the counselor; (14) evaluation system instruments; (15) a glossary of terms; and (16) a list of career ladder personnel. (LMO)