classroom observations and dialogue with teachers. Individual action plans address weaknesses. The appraisal process is designed to recur multiple times throughout the school year. Twenty separate teaching competencies are divided among the five performance categories: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Planning Student Assessment Instruction Learning Environment Professional Responsibilities
The 20 competencies are clearly described at four different levels of competency. The competency levels carry a numerical score and label: distinguished = 4; effective = 3, emerging = 2, and unsatisfactory = 1. For example, one competency in the planning category focuses on the ability to develop effective lesson plans:
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