Regardless of how one might feel about the recent developments in teacher evaluation systems, No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and adequate yearly progress (AYP), or student assessments for high-stakes promotion decisions, educators overwhelmingly agree that use of multiple measures is better than reliance on a single measure such as a large-scale,…

In the past two years, as concerns over teacher quality have swelled, teacher evaluation has emerged as a crucial tool for principals and other administrators to improve instructor performance. More states are seeking federal waivers to the stringent benchmarks of No Child Left Behind; others are vying for Race to the Top funds. Both require…

Evaluating an unsatisfactory teacher is mentally and physically exhausting and might take months or even years to resolve. Commonly, the principal handling the unsatisfactory teacher evaluation will have his or her professional and personal conduct scrutinized. For that reason, principals must maintain professional boundaries by avoiding social…

The term "best practice" is commonly used to describe "what works" in a specific situation or environment. When principals face a thorny challenge, they turn to their colleagues in the principalship for ideas about which strategies, activities, and approaches have proved to be effective and efficient in addressing the issue.…

The recently released results of the 2009 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) comparison of educational achievement across 65 countries has brought renewed attention to the achievement gap and recommended changes to improve U.S. performance. The U.S. was well down in the middle of the pack for reading, math, and science while…

Schools and districts routinely recruit, retain, and support highly qualified teachers to ensure that students receive the best learning opportunities. However, even if one's school employs highly qualified full-time teachers, it is important to acknowledge that substitute teachers also have a significant impact on the education of students. One…

Seasoned principals know that when veteran teachers are replaced by large numbers of teachers new to the profession, student achievement levels are threatened. The influx of new teachers, coupled with consistently high rate of teacher attrition, creates challenges for principals who have the responsibility of bringing new teachers up the…

Describes the design and implementation of a portfolio evaluation plan for teachers at North Haven, Connecticut, Public Schools, key components of which are professional development and training for both teachers and administrators. (PKP)

Effective instructional leaders must be knowledgeable and skilled enough to recognize poor teaching and know how to improve it. Fairfax County Schools (Virginia) has developed a teacher performance evaluation plan based on Jon Saphier's Skillful Teacher Model, featuring eight standards developed through teacher, principal, and community…

Describes classroom observation techniques focusing on what the students are learning rather than how the teacher is teaching. Highlights research on effective teaching; provides examples of programs to teach principals effective classroom observation and teacher-evaluation techniques; emphasizes link between teacher evaluation and professional…

Principals need to get away from traditional beliefs that equate math success solely with rote knowledge of math facts and the ability to calculate. Today, math instruction also is being directed to student understanding of essential concepts. Principals must learn what to look for when they visit math classrooms to make sure it is being taught…

Recounts an elementary school principal's interviews with 487 graduating sixth graders regarding their single, most vivid school experience and the qualities characterizing their best teacher and their favorite teacher (names not identified). The survey disclosed eight professional teaching qualities of "best" teachers (listed in inset). (MLH)

A principal explains how he fulfills his responsibility as an instructional leader by teaching each class at least once every year and helping teachers with instructional problems. (JM)

One way to exert leadership in orienting new teachers is to act confidently as master teacher. This can be accomplished by scheduling informal monthly orientation meetings centered on priority topics. Roundtable discussions of sensitive topics foster a different image of the principalship, increase administrator visibility, and facilitate both…

A Florida principal uses a teacher evaluation process that begins with a written description given to each teacher at the beginning of the school year, which includes information on how long the process will take, what products are expected of the teacher, and what concerns the evaluation will address. (Author/MLF)