Charter Schools and Educator Evaluation Requirements

Background

On June 28th, 2011, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (Board) adopted new regulations on educator evaluation. This document aims to clarify the impact of the educator evaluation regulations on charter schools and address frequently asked questions.

The regulations on educator evaluation were adopted pursuant to the Board's statutory authority and consistent with existing statutory requirements: MGL c.69, § 1B and c.71 § 38. More details on the requirements of the regulations are available on ESE's educator evaluation website. In particular, please see the Regulations for the Evaluation of Educators, 603 CMR 35.00, and the Quick Reference Guide on the Key Features of the Regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which charter schools are subject to the Educator Evaluation regulations?

   Horace Mann charters are subject to the educator evaluation regulations, regardless of whether or not their host district participates in Race to the Top (RTTT) activities, as are RTTT Commonwealth charters. Non-RTTT Commonwealth charters are exempt from the educator evaluation regulations. For more information, please see the Educator Evaluation FAQ.

2. Are RTTT Commonwealth charters required to continue implementing education evaluation systems consistent with the regulations after their participation in RTTT ends?

   No. In general, the educator evaluation regulations do not apply to Commonwealth charter schools. Charter schools that opted to participate in RTTT agreed to implement educator evaluation systems consistent with the regulations for the duration of their participation in the grant program. However, if a RTTT Commonwealth charter sought and was approved for a no-cost extension, the charter school is required to continue to adhere to the educator evaluation regulations during the 2014-2015 school year. However, if a Commonwealth charter school's participation in RTTT has ended, the school may use an evaluation system of its choosing, which may or may not include elements of the regulatory framework such as the five-step cycle and district-determined measures (DDMs).

3. For charter schools that are subject to the Educator Evaluation regulations, which educators does the Department expect to be evaluated?

   The regulations apply to all teachers, principals, superintendents, and other staff in positions that require a Department-issued teacher, specialist, professional support personnel, or administrative license.

   Horace Mann Charters	Race to the Top Commonwealth Charters
   As Horace Mann charters require educators to hold a Department-issued license, the regulations apply in the same way they would to a public school district. The list of licenses can be found at 603 CMR 07.04(3)(a-d).	Although educators at RTTT charters are not required to hold Department issued licenses, the expectations are still the same for who should be evaluated: educators that hold positions that correspond to the Department licenses should be evaluated. Whether an educator actually holds that license is not relevant.

   With regard to reporting ratings in EPIMS, the Department has identified specific job classifications for which rating dating is expected.

4. What are the Educator Evaluation reporting requirements for charter schools?

   The regulations, in 603 CMR 35.11(5), specify that Districts shall provide the Department with individual educator evaluation data for each educator in the district in a form and manner prescribed by the Commissioner. This requirement is also applicable to charters that are subject to the regulations (i.e., Horace Mann charters and Commonwealth charters that are still participating in RTTT). At this time, the Department is not collecting evaluation rating data from charters that are implementing evaluation systems that do not conform to the regulations.

   Note: Individual evaluation data submitted to the Department is confidential and is not subject to disclosure under public records law per 603 CMR 35.11(6) and Section 2 of Chapter 131 of the Acts of 2012 (An Act Providing for the Implementation of Education Evaluation Systems in School Districts).

   The Department will be collecting educator evaluation data on an annual basis. For each educator requiring evaluation, districts will provide the following eight data elements: Professional Teacher Status Overall Summative Performance Rating Rating on Standard I Rating on Standard II Rating on Standard III Rating on Standard IV Student Impact Rating Educator Plan

   Regulations "Districts shall provide [the Department] with individual educator evaluation data for each educator in the district…including, but not limited to: the educator's performance rating on each standard and overall; the educator… Professional Teacher Status; the educator's impact on student learning, growth, and achievement (high, moderate, low)" 603 CMR 35.11 (5).

   For more information regarding educator evaluation rating data reporting, please see the Quick Reference Guide on Educator Evaluation Data Collection.

5. If educators serve in multiple roles or have multiple EPIMS job classifications, do districts submit multiple sets of evaluation data?

   No. Only one set of ratings can be submitted to EPIMS per educator, including individuals that have more than one role, such as someone that is both a teacher and an instructional coach. See page 30 of Part II: School-Level Planning and Implementation Guide for more detailed guidance on evaluating educators serving in multiple roles.

6. For which educators does the Department require educator evaluation ratings to be reported in EPIMS?

   DESE has identified a list of EPIMS job classifications whose descriptions most closely correspond to educator positions that require an ESE-issued license, see list: EPIMS Job Classifications Requiring Educator Evaluation . These job classifications have been designated as educators for whom rating data is required.

   If an educator does not fall under one of these job classifications, does that mean he/she is not required or expected to be evaluated?

   Not necessarily. The list of EPIMS job classifications is intended to be a close approximation of the educators that should be evaluated per the regulatory requirements but it is not a perfect reflection. For Horace Mann charters, it is possible that there are some educators who were evaluated or are required by the regulations to be evaluated that may have an EPIMS job classification that is not on the required list. These educators must be reported as Not Applicable (99) in the EPIMS reporting. This does not necessarily mean that the educator should not be evaluated, however. Districts and schools should use their professional judgment and refer to collective bargaining agreements where applicable in determining whether it is appropriate to evaluate educators who fall outside of the required job classifications.

   If EPIMS won't accept Not Applicable (99) for a given educator, does this mean that the Department requires that person to be evaluated?

   Not necessarily. Again, there may be nuances that are unique to how certain educators are classified in EPIMS. Please contact EducatorEvaluation@doe.mass.edu with clarifying questions.

Additional FAQs about educator evaluation implementation are available. Other questions should be directed to EducatorEvaluation@doe.mass.edu.

Last Updated: January 31, 2019