Back to School Reminder: An Update on Principal Evaluation Plans

As the start of school quickly approaches, keep in mind some of the new requirements of the regulations promulgated by ISBE regarding principal and assistant principal evaluations which must be met prior to the first day of student attendance, along with the other requirements must be met early in the school year.

Pursuant to Section 24A-15 of the Illinois School Code and 23 Ill.Admin.Code 50.300, each school district must have a PERA-compliant evaluation plan for principals and assistant principals in place no later than September 1, 2012.  However, under the specific requirements of the regulations, each school district must provide certain notices by the first day of student attendance.

23 Ill.Admin.Code 50.300(d) requires each school district to provide each principal and assistant principal written notice that a performance evaluation will be conducted.  This written notice (either electronic or paper) must be provided by the first day of student attendance and must include the following: 

• A copy of the rubric to be used to rate student growth and professional practice; and
• A summary of the manner in which student growth and professional practice measures to be used in the evaluation relate to the performance evaluation ratings of "excellent," "proficient," "needs improvement," and "unsatisfactory."

If a principal or assistant principal is hired or assigned to the position after the start of the school term, this notice must be given within 30 days of hire.

The Performance Evaluation Advisory Council (PEAC) has generated model evaluation plans that comply with the statute.  Each school district must evaluate these models and determine the extent to which it will adopt or adapt them for use.

Also, on or before October 1st, the individual evaluating each principal or assistant principal must meet with each principal or assistant principal to identify the assessments to be used for student growth, set the student growth measurement targets to be used, and establish professional growth goals.  The final evaluation report and rating must be completed by March 1st.

We encourage you to review your principal and assistant principal evaluation plan prior to the start of school to ensure that it complies with the requirements of PERA, in addition to those listed above.