CERTIFICATED EMPLOYEE EVALUATION
The Board of Education of Banner County Public Schools believes that effective teaching
is necessary to achieve the instructional goals of the district. Effective teaching is
assessed by teacher evaluation. The purposes of teacher evaluation in this district are,
among other things to: (1) improve instruction; (2) guide staff development activities; and
(3) together with other pertinent data and information, to substantiate employment
decisions. Teachers shall be evaluated using the written evaluation plan and procedure
approved by the Board.
Procedures Relating to Observation and Evaluation of Probationary Teachers
All probationary teachers shall, during each year of probationary employment, be
evaluated at least once each semester, in accordance with the procedures outline below:
The probationary teacher shall be observed and evaluation shall be based upon actual
classroom observations for an entire instructional period. If deficiencies are noted in
the work performance of any probationary teacher, the evaluator shall provide the
teacher in writing at the time of the observation with: a list of all noted deficiencies;
specific means for the correction of each noted deficiency, which shall include a list
of concrete suggestions for improvement and other assistance in overcoming the
deficiencies. The evaluator shall provide the probationary teacher with an adequate
timeline for implementing the concrete suggestions for improvement. The evaluator
shall conduct follow-up evaluations and provide additional assistance when
deficiencies remain.
It is not necessary that all observations be for an entire period, but at least one
observation each semester shall be for an entire instructional period. In addition to
classroom observations, the evaluator may base his or her evaluation on such other date
or information as he or she judges to be relevant in his or her professional opinion.
Entire Instructional Period Defined. For those probationary teachers whose classes are
held during defined periods of time (e.g., junior and senior high classes), an entire
instruction period shall consist of one such time period. For those teacher whose time
periods are not so defined, (e.g., elementary classroom teachers), an entire instructional
period shall consist of no less than 50 minutes. The instructional period for other certified
personnel whose work does not necessarily involve continuous instruction for 50-minute
periods (e.g., librarians, speech therapists, or the school nurse) shall consist of no less
than 50 minutes total during the semester.
Actual Classroom Observation Defined. Actual classroom observation shall consist of
observing the teacher in any activities in a classroom setting where applicable. When the
probationary teacher does not have classroom responsibility (e.g., librarians or the school
nurse), the requirement of “actual classroom observation” shall be satisfied by observing
the certified employee performing activities which are typical of his or her position.
Procedures for the Evaluation of Permanent Teachers
Each permanent teacher shall be evaluated at least once each year. The evaluator may
conduct more frequent evaluations if he or she judges that it is necessary or advisable to
do so. The evaluation may be based upon a single actual classroom observation of not
less than thirty minutes, or multiple classroom observations totaling no less than thirty
minutes in the aggregate. In addition to classroom observations, the evaluator may base
his or her evaluation on such other date or information as he or she judges to be relevant
in his or her professional opinion. When the permanent teacher does not have a classroom
responsibility (e.g., librarians or the school nurse), the requirements of this paragraph
shall be satisfied by observing the permanent teacher performing activities which are
typical of his or her position.
If deficiencies are noted, the evaluator shall provide the permanent teacher in writing
with a list of specifying all noted deficiencies; specific means for the correction of each
noted deficiency; and an adequate timeline for implementing the concrete suggestionsfor
improvement.
Evaluation Criteria
Evaluation instruments shall be approved by the Board of Education and shall provide for
the evaluation of all teachers on the basis of the following criteria:
1. Instructional performance;
2. Classroom organization and management;
3. Personal and professional conduct.
Written Response
The evaluator shall provide the teacher, whether probationary or permanent, with the
opportunity to provide a written response to the evaluation, and may specify that the
written response is to be made within a reasonable specified time following the date on
which the evaluation is delivered to the teacher.
Evaluation Results
The evaluation results will be filed in each teacher’s confidential file by the March Board
of Education meeting of the school year evaluated.
Evaluators
All evaluators used in the district shall possess a valid Nebraska Administrative
certificate and shall be trained to use the evaluation system employed in the district. The
Superintendent or his or her designee shall conduct the training. Training sessions shall
include, but not limited to:
1) A review of the district’s teacher evaluation policies and procedures;
2) A review of the expectations for evaluation;
3) A review of evaluation instruments;
4) A discussion of evaluation skills
Communication of Evaluation Procedure
This evaluation procedure shall be annually communicated in writing to all probationary
and permanent teachers.
The requirements stated in the Negotiated Contract between employees in the certified
collective bargaining unit and the board regarding evaluation of such employees shall be
followed.
Legal Reference: Neb. Statute 79-828
NDE Rule 10-007.06
Cross Reference: 408.05 Certificated Employee Reduction-In-Force
Approved July 14, 2014 Reviewed November 12, 2018 Revised