Iowa Admin. Code r. 281-83.4

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 10, November 13, 2024

Rule 281-83.4 - Evaluator approval training

The department will approve eligible providers and their programs to conduct evaluator training. Only individuals certified through programs approved by the department qualify for evaluator certification by the board of educational examiners. A beginning teacher who has evaluator certification from the board of educational examiners shall not evaluate other teachers until the beginning teacher is no longer a probationary employee. Approved evaluator training programs are designed to align with the Iowa teaching standards and criteria, provide evaluators with the skills to conduct comprehensive evaluations and performance reviews pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 284, and provide for the evaluation of the progress made on individual professional development plans. This training for evaluators is to incorporate components of theory, demonstration, practice, and application of evaluation knowledge and skills.

(1)Applications for providers of evaluator approval training. Eligible applications for the provision of evaluator approval training include the following components:

a. A curriculum that addresses participant skill development in:

(1) The identification of quality instruction and practices based on the Iowa teaching standards and criteria;

(2) The use of multiple forms of data collection for identifying and supporting performance and development;

(3) The understanding and development of conferencing and feedback skills; and

(4) The development of skills in data-based decision making.

b. Demonstration that the evaluator approval training process design provides training as specified in this rule.

c. A description of the process used to deliver the training to participants.

d. A description of the procedures developed to certify the skill attainment of the evaluator being trained.

e. A budget.

f. Staff qualifications.

g. Evidence of the provider's expertise in evaluation design and training processes.

h. Provisions for leadership to support and implement ongoing professional development focused on student learning.

i. A process that evaluates the effectiveness of the implementation of the training process and demonstrates that the trainees have attained the knowledge and skills as described in paragraph 83.4(1)"a." This evaluation will be conducted on an annual basis and submitted to the department.

(2)Process used for the approval of evaluator approval training program applications.

a. Eligible providers will apply on forms prescribed by the department. Applications for new providers will be accepted and reviewed by the department by July 1 of each year. A review panel will be convened to review applications for evaluator approval training programs based on subrule 83.4(1). The panel will recommend for approval and the department will approve the evaluator approval training programs that satisfy that subrule. Applicants will be notified of their status within 30 days of the application deadline. An approved list of private providers will be maintained on the department website with an annual notification to school districts and area education agencies of the website address that contains provider information.

b. Eligible providers may be public or private entities, including school districts, consortia, and other public or private entities, including professional organizations. Applicants are to meet all applicable federal, state, and local health, safety and civil rights laws. Higher education administrative practitioner preparation institutions are to meet the review process through the state board approval and accreditation process for these institutions.

(3)Local teacher evaluation plans. Local districts and area education agencies will develop and implement a teacher evaluation plan that contains the following components:

a. The use of the Iowa teaching standards and criteria;

b. Provisions for the comprehensive evaluation of beginning teachers that include a review of the teacher's progress on the Iowa teaching standards as set forth in rule 281-83.3 (284) and the use of the comprehensive evaluation instrument developed by the department;

c. Provisions for reviews of the performance of teachers other than beginning teachers as follows:

(1) Review once every three years by an evaluator to include, at a minimum, classroom observation of the teacher, a review of the teacher's progress on the Iowa teaching standards as set forth in rule 281-83.3 (284) and additional standards and criteria if established under subrule 83.3(9), a review of the implementation of the teacher's individual professional development plan, and supporting documentation from other evaluators, teachers, parents, and students; and

(2) Review annually, other than the third-year review by an evaluator, by a peer group of teachers in accordance with Iowa Code section 284.8(1);

d. Provisions for individual professional development plans for teachers other than beginning teachers;

e. Provisions for an intensive assistance program as provided in Iowa Code section 284.8 that addresses the remediation defined under subrules 83.3(1) through 83.3(8).

(1) If a supervisor or an evaluator determines, at any time, as a result of a teacher's performance that the teacher is not meeting district expectations under subrules 83.3(1) through 83.3(8), the evaluator will, at the direction of the teacher's supervisor, recommend to the district that the teacher participate in an intensive assistance program. The intensive assistance program and its implementation are not subject to negotiation or grievance procedures established pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 20.

(2) A teacher who is not meeting the applicable standards and criteria based on a determination made pursuant to paragraph 83.4(3)"e" will participate in an intensive assistance program. However, a teacher who has previously participated in an intensive assistance program relating to particular Iowa teaching standards or criteria is not entitled to participate in another intensive assistance program relating to the same standards or criteria and is subject to the provisions of paragraph 83.4(3)"f."

f. Following a teacher's participation in an intensive assistance program, the teacher will be reevaluated to determine whether the teacher successfully completed the intensive assistance program and is meeting district expectations under the applicable Iowa teaching standards or criteria. If the teacher did not successfully complete the intensive assistance program or continues not to meet the applicable Iowa teaching standards or criteria, the school board may do any of the following:

(1) Terminate the teacher's contract immediately pursuant to Iowa Code section 279.27.

(2) Terminate the teacher's contract at the end of the school year pursuant to Iowa Code section 279.15.

(3) Continue the teacher's contract for a period not to exceed one year. However, the contract will not be renewed and is not subject to Iowa Code section 279.15.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 281-83.4

ARC 8808B, lAB 6/2/10, effective 7/7/10

Amended by IAB February 14, 2018/Volume XL, Number 17, effective 3/21/2018

Amended by IAB March 6, 2024/Volume XLVI, Number 18, effective 4/10/2024