How To Choose the Right Teacher Evaluation Software
Many schools focus a lot of time and attention during their second semester on teacher evaluations. These schools want to be sure their process is being met, acknowledge the hard work of their teachers while also providing growth-focused feedback, and engage their teachers in professional growth.
We talk to a lot of administrators that are using paper/pen for teacher observations and evaluations.
For these admins, sometimes it’s difficult to know when to make the move to a digital evaluation system. For those who haven’t made the move to digital yet, some indicators that you are ready for this change include:
You are frustrated by your paper/pen process and are overwhelmed with the thought of evaluating your teachers
You have a hard time keeping track of your process and what else needs to be done
You want to make data-informed decisions but struggle to compile your data in a way that makes this possible
Your observations and evaluations are taking too much of your time and energy
Once you are ready to use teacher evaluation software, there are many questions for you to consider:
Evaluation vs Growth - Are you looking to only evaluate your teachers for compliance sake, or do you want to grow your teachers through embedded coaching, growth plans, and/or meaningful professional development experiences
Collaborative - Does your current system intentionally help bring your team and you together? Or does it keep you divided?
Feedback from your team - What are you currently hearing from your team (both fellow observers, teachers, and other team members) with regard to your teacher evaluations and professional development? What is this feedback saying to you?
Data - Based on observation data, do you have the answers to your biggest process, performance, and engagement questions? If not, what questions are you trying to answer but can’t currently?
Training - How much time and energy will learning and operating this system take you and your teachers initially? Over time?
Devices - Which device(s) do you plan to use to provide feedback to your team? What’s works well with the device(s)?
Ease of Use - Do you have to work for the system, or does the system work for you?
Current retention rates - How big of an impact might a change in a system make on your teacher retention rates?
Budget - what is your budget, and how much are you able to spend
TIP: If you are looking at a combined evaluation and growth system, consider using PD funds such as Title II
Value - Ultimately what value are you getting from my current system? Are you just ‘okay’ with it, or are you thrilled with it?
When talking to administrators, sometimes we find that iAspire is a good match. Sometimes we’re not. If your focus of teacher evaluations is on growing your teachers and not simply being compliant with your process, let’s find a time to talk and see if we can be your teacher growth partner. Schedule a discovery call by clicking the button below: