Next Steps: An Update on Principal Evaluation Plans
As discussed in our last update, and 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. In addition to the required notices that were to be given to principals and assistant principals prior to the first day of student attendance, the ISBE regulations implementing PERA require certain other actions on or before October 1st of each year, including the current school year:
On or before October 1 of each year, the qualified evaluator and principal or assistant
year's performance evaluation must be established. Also, the ISBE regulations require that - no later than October 1st of each school year - each principal or assistant principal be informed of the assessments to be used, along with the measurement models and targets for each specific assessment. This notice must also specify "the weights of each assessment and target to be used." 23 Ill.Admin. Code 500.310(b).
We encourage you to review your principal and assistant principal evaluation plan to ensure that it complies with the requirements of PERA, in addition to those listed above. Also, be sure to
carefully review the specific requirements regarding the assessments that can and must be used as part of the student growth component of principal and assistant principal evaluations.