The Idaho State Board of Education released its first review of the state’s teacher evaluation process since taking over responsibility for the evaluations, sharing the results of their review with a joint session of the legislative education committees. 180 administrators covering 77 districts were included in the review of 2015-16 evaluations, which was conducted by a panel of 18 people with direct ties to education. The review found that 49% of the evaluations were in full compliance with state standards, with another 15% in partial compliance. 36% were not in compliance.
In addition to providing a statistical breakout, the State Board and the review panel cited these conclusions:
- There was clear evidence of good faith effort on the part of administrators
- There was not a common understanding of the state requirements
- Administrators did not get (or comprehend) clear direction from the state
- Administrators expressed a desire for additional training
While still not at a fully acceptable level, the evaluation process showed significant improvement from the review of 2014-15 evaluations conducted on behalf of the State Department of Education, which previously had oversight of the process. The State Board and the review panel also shared the following recommendations.
- Clarify expectations for the evaluations, especially concerning pupil service staff
- Additional training for administrators
- Develop a checklist of requirements and an evaluation template
- Establish a plan and a timeline for districts not currently in compliance
- Set up an evaluation clearinghouse for the sharing of best practices
- Emphasize that all 22 elements of the evaluation tool (Charlotte Danielson model) are to be included
In a question and answer period following the presentation by Blake Youde from the State Board of Education, legislators complimented the work of the review panel, and also expressed some concerns. Among those concerns were (from different legislators) both a lack of standardization and a lack of room for objectivity. There were also comments about using the Danielson method as the evaluation tool, when it was designed as guide for professional practice. And multiple legislators expressed concern that too much time and effort was being poured into evaluations rather than focusing on student growth and outcomes. “I’m worried that we might be creating an evaluation and portfolio death-spiral,” said Sen. Steven Thayn (R-Emmett).

Blake Youde of the State Board of Education presenting at the Joint Education Committee meeting
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