Welcome
The Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) is a new state-wide required evaluation system for educators in New York. This system will give a number grade to teachers and principals at the end of each year, similar to the grades that students receive. Teachers and principals have always been evaluated and held accountable to certain standards, but the new state law mandates that all educators participate in APPR.
The most significant change that has occurred under APPR with teacher and principal evaluations is that now a portion of a teacher's evaluation grade is tied to student performance, whereas previously it was not. APPR is one of many reforms that was instituted by New York State's Board of Regents to improve student success. This evaluation system was developed to improve the educational system and support the professional development of teachers and principals. |
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APPR is complex and can often be overwhelming. Listed below are some facts you should know:
- In order to receive federal Race to the Top and state education aid, all school districts in New York State are required to have adopted local APPR plans for teachers and principals and to have received state approval of their plans.
- When you are evaluated through APPR you will receive one of four ratings every year: highly effective, effective, developing, or ineffective
- Teacher and principal ratings will be based on a 100-point score. A score between 0 and 64 would classify a teacher as “ineffective.” Those with a rating of 65 to 74 points are “developing,” and 75 to 90 points signify “effective.” A rating from 91 to 100 means a teacher is “highly effective.”
- The exact details of the ratings will vary by district as a result of district policies and negotiations that are included in local teacher and administrator contracts.
- For subjects without a state assessment test (such as in grades outside of 4-8), teachers must use a Student Learning Objective (SLO) to gauge student growth. A SLO is an academic goal for students set at the start of the course that represents the most important learning of the year. SLOs must be based on student learning that is measurable, and must also be aligned to New York state’s Common Core Learning Standards.
- Teachers will be observed at least twice a year by the building principal or a trained administrator, and one of those observations must be unannounced.
- Teacher ratings will be released to the parents of students in each teacher’s classroom (or in each principal’s school).