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Teacher and Principal Evaluation Training During COVID-19

Performance Evaluation Advisory Council (PEAC) Training Committee Guidance to Trainers of Teacher and Principal Evaluator Academies during the COVID-19 School and Provider Closures​.

For the most current information on this situation, please monitor ISBE’s COVID-19 resource page​​.​​​​​

New Evaluation Systems Provide Illinois Educators Greater Support

In 2010, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed the Performance Evaluation Reform Act (PERA), which changed how teachers’ and principals’ performance is measured in the state. The new evaluation systems in Illinois school districts will combine multiple measures of student growth and professional practice. The evaluations will be based on standards of effective teaching, with evaluators trained and prequalified to conduct observations, collect evidence, and provide helpful feedback in a timely way. Hand-in-hand with the new evaluations, school systems will be expected to strengthen their professional development offerings so that educators get the support they need to help their students improve.​​​

 ISBE –Approved Pre-Qualification Training for Teacher and Principal Evaluators

Effective December 31, 2018, the processes for Evaluator Pre-Qualification changed as the ISBEApproved Pre-Qualification Training for Teacher and Principal Evaluators is no longer offered via “Growth Through Learning” (GTL).

As of January 1, 2019, the ISBE-Approved Pre-Qualification Training for Teacher and Principal Evaluators is being offered through the Illinois Administrators’ Academy process by utilizing Administrators’ Academy #2000 (Illinois Performance Evaluation – Principal Evaluation Training) and Administrators’ Academy #2001 (Illinois Performance Evaluation – Teacher Evaluation Training). 

As of January 1, 2021, Administrator Academy #2000 “IL Performance Evaluation - Principal Evaluation Training for Pre-Qualified Principal Evaluators” is the only avenue to complete the initial training required to evaluate principals. The 2-day course covers all aspects of principal evaluations, including professional practice and student growth data. AA #2000 requires pre-work to be completed prior to the first day the course meets. Participants must attend both days of the course and complete the required Application for Dissemination for each day to receive credit for AA #2000.​

Individuals interested in becoming legally qualified to conduct evaluations of certified personnel must successfully complete the respective Administrator Academy course(s) as outlined above. For additional information regarding registration and content of these courses, please contact your Regional Office of Education, Intermediate Service Center, or one of the following organizations: Illinois Principals Association, Illinois Association of School Administrators, Illinois Education Association, or Illinois Federation of Teachers. 

Districts are reminded that they have the option of developing their own pre-qualification program. Districts choosing to develop their own pre-qualification process shall notify the Illinois State Board of Education no later than July 1 immediately preceding the school year in which the process or program will be implemented. The notification shall at least include the type of training to be offered, names of individuals presenting the training, and date upon which each school district-designed trainer completed the “train-the-trainers” program offered by, or on behalf of, the Illinois State Board of Education. [Part50 Administrative Rule, Section 50.400(c)​PDF Document] ​

(“Evaluator” as set forth in 105 ILCS 5/24A-2.5 or 105 ILCS 5/24A-15)
(“Pre-Qualification” as set forth in 105 ILCS 5/24A-3) 

 PEAC Guidance Documents

General Guidance

Teachers Guidance

Administrators Guidance

​Joint Committees Guidance

School Boards Guidance

District Guidance

The resources below explain the policy and process for mandated employee evaluations.

 Evaluator Retraining

These academies may only be provided through specific approved entities for the purpose of requalifying evaluators. To receive retraining credit, pre-qualified evaluators must meet state retraining requirements, including but not necessarily limited to participation in appropriate Administrator Academies and completion of all required Administrator Academy Application/Dissemination components. 

All of the materials are the sole property of the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), and use of these materials is limited to pre-approved presenters. 

If you are an evaluator looking to complete one of the required academies, please contact IASA, IEA, IFT, IPA or your local ROE/ISC for scheduled training dates.

Thank you.

 Laws and Administrative Rules

Pera

The Performance Evaluation Reform Act (PERA) (Senate Bill 315; Public Act 96-0861) was passed by the Illinois General Assembly and signed by the Governor in January 2010. In summary, PERA requires, among other things, that:

  • Upon the implementation date applicable to a school district or other covered entity, performance evaluations of the principals/assistant principals and teachers of that school district or other covered entity must include data and indicators of student growth as a “significant factor”.
  • By September 1, 2012, principals, assistant principals, teachers in contractual continued service (i.e., tenured teachers) and probationary teachers (i.e., nontenured teachers) be evaluated using a four rating category system (Excellent, Proficient, Needs Improvement, and Unsatisfactory).
  • Anyone undertaking an evaluation after September 1, 2012 must first complete a pre-qualification program provided or approved by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).

PERA established the Performance Evaluation Advisory Council (PEAC) comprised of teachers, principals, superintendents and other interested stakeholders to advise ISBE on the development and implementation of improved performance evaluation systems and supports. The PEAC has been meeting monthly in Bloomington, Illinois and will continue to do so through 2017. The PEAC web page includes a substantial amount of helpful information. Recently, the PEAC has provided ISBE with recommendations for minimum standards for principal/assistant principal and teacher evaluations as well as “model” principal/assistant principal and teacher evaluations. At its November 19, 2011 meeting, and based on the recommendations of the PEAC, the ISBE approved administrative rules to be published for public comment (the “PERA Administrative Rules”). ISBE expects that the PERA Administrative Rules would take effect, with any revisions based on public comment, around February or March of 2011.

Meanwhile, from late 2010 through April 2011, education stakeholders negotiated an education reform bill that stemmed in part from PERA. The bill was Senate Bill 7 and was signed into law by the Governor on June 13, 2011. Senate Bill 7 addresses, among other things:

  • A standard upon which the State Superintendent may initiate certificate/license action against an educator for incompetency;
  • Requirements for the filling of new and vacant positions;
  • Acquisition of tenure;
  • Reductions in force/layoffs and recall rights;
  • The system for the dismissal of tenured teachers;
  • Required school board member training; and,
  • Processes related to collective bargaining and the right to strike.

This ISBE Nonregulatory Guidance document addresses questions that ISBE has received regarding various provisions of PERA and Senate Bill 7 (P.A. 97-8, effective June 13, 2011) (a trailer bill making limited changes to Senate Bill 7 was signed that same day, P.A. 97-7). This Nonregulatory Guidance: (a) does not contain all of the information you will need to comply with these laws and any related administrative rules, but is intended to allay confusion and differing interpretations in the field (b) provides ISBE’s interpretation of various statutory provisions and does not impose any requirements beyond those included in any applicable laws and regulations; and (c) does not create or confer any rights for or on any person.

For additional information about PERA or Senate Bill 7, please contact the Office of the General Counsel, Illinois State Board of Education, 100 North 1st Street, Springfield, Illinois 62777. Telephone: (217) 782-8535.

If you are interested in commenting on this guidance, please email your comments to edreform@isbe.net. ISBE will continue to review this Nonregulatory GuidancePDF Document and may publish clarifications or modifications of specific sections when appropriate. The Nonregulatory Guidance and any updates to this Nonregulatory Guidance will be made available on ISBE’s website.​

Senate Bill 7​

Senate Bill 7 (Public Act 97-8) significantly changed the processes by which a tenured teacher can be dismissed. One of the most substantial modifications is the Optional Alternative Evaluative Dismissal (“OAED”) Process for PERA Evaluations, now codified at 105 ILCS 5/24-16.5. Only PERA-trained board members may participate in the vote to dismiss a teacher through this process.​

Approved Providers of OAED PERA Training for Board Members
Entity
Address Phone Approval Period
Kevin Bowman 311 Mulberry Street
Greenfield, IL 62044
(217) 368-2447 January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2019
Illinois Association of School Boards 2921 Baker Street
Springfield, IL 62703
(217) 528-9688 January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2019
ROE SchoolWorks 200 South Frederick Street
Rantoul, IL 61866
(217) 893-4921 January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2019
Kane County Regional Office of Education* 28 N. First Street
Geneva, IL 60134
(630) 232-5919 January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2019
Franczek Radelet* 300 South Wacker Drive
Suite 3400
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 986-0300 January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2019
Consortium for Educational Change* 530 East 22nd Street
Lombard, IL 60148
(630) 495-0507 January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2019
Hauser Izzo, LLC* 19730 Governors Highway
Suite 10
Flossmoor, Illinois 60422
(708) 799-6766 January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2019​

Part 50

 Archived Materials

PEAC Resources

PERA Coach Virtual Newsletter

2019

  • March 2019 IssuePDF Document - Remediation and Professional Development Plans, Summary Sheets for Observable Components, Evaluation of Special Education, Evaluator Prequalification and Retraining​ Reminders
  • January 2019 IssuePDF Document - ​New State Prequalification Program, Statewide Calendar for Prequalification Training, Midpoint Data Review Conference, and Refining Observation Skills

2018

  • October 2018 IssuePDF Document - Part 50 Rules About Observations, Informal Observations, The Roles of the Evaluator, Pre-Observation Conferences, Post Observation Conferences, Evaluator Prequalification Update
  • August 2018 IssuePDF Document - Start of the Year Requirements, Evaluation Cycles, Professional Development for Evaluators, Components and Outcomes of Effective Evaluation Systems, How Has Your Evaluation System Changed, and Questions and Sharing​
  • April 2018 IssuePDF Document - Finding Time for Evaluation, Professional Learning Communities, Collaborative Conversations, Joint Committee Meetings in the Spring, When Evaluators Need to Take Retraining, Questions and Sharing, Additional Resources
  • January 201​8 IssuePDF Document - Learning Goals, Reflective Conversations, Questions and Sharing, and Additional Resources

2017

2016

  • October 2016 IssuePDF Document - evaluator certification renewal information, conducting observations, reflective conversations and time management
  • August 2016 IssuePDF Document - start of the year requirements, an evaluation timeline and time management
  • May 2016 IssuePDF Document - how to use evaluation data and sustainability 
  • April 2016 IssuePDF Document - getting ready for implementation and preparing an on-going communications plan
  • March 2016 IssuePDF Document - spotlight on two district's journey to PERA implementation
  • February 2016 IssuePDF Document - focus on optional weightings and determining Summative Ratings
  • January 2016 IssuePDF Document - continued focus on assessing student growth and student learning objectives

2015

Technical Assistance for Initial Training Pre-Qualification

Calls are coming into CEC and ISBE about technical issues such as networks being blocked, ports not being open, content filtering that does not match the network ports as well as other environmental issues. There are also minimum requirements that are not being met by some of the computers being used for training.

Please see the documents below for more information regarding the technical issues that may need to be adjusted on a person’s computer or network for optimal use of the system.

Every person is strongly encouraged to run the System Check, confirm the version of flash player and browser they are using and to ensure their hardware accelerator is disabled (See Start-Up Guide below for directions).

If these documents do not help you please call the Growth Through Learning Help Line at 1-800-416-9734. Please leave a detailed message and include your name, phone number and e-mail address. Your call will be returned as soon as possible.​

Webinars​

District Use Only

  • ISBE Evaluation Webinar - 
    • March 9, 2016: Employee Evaluations WebinarGo To Meeting Link (18:41)
      • This webinar gives an in-depth look at the school code that mandates employee evaluations, as well as explaining what scoring methodology is used, and how the information is entered into Employment Information System (EIS).​

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