Home ::
- Are you a recently certified teacher beginning your first year as a Texas teacher?
- Are you an experienced teacher under contract with a Texas school district for the first time?
- Are you returning to the public school classroom in Texas after an extended absence?
- Are you concerned about your recent PDAS scores, a change in your teaching assignment affecting your PDAS, or the assignment of a different primary appraiser for this school year?
Since appraisals cover the entire school year, it is good to plan for and be aware of different issues that may impact your appraisal from day one. Here are the answers to some of your questions:
Q: Last school year, my appraiser did not complete my PDAS. Is this legal?
Q: How do I know if I may qualify for less-than-annual formal appraisal?
Q: This is a local policy, in addition to the state guidelines (rules)?
Q: I understand that school districts must place this type of information online?
Q: I also thought that the district was required to provide PDAS training?
Q: Last school year, my appraiser did not complete my PDAS. Is this legal?
A: The general rule is that each classroom teacher must be appraised annually. However, pursuant to TCTA-initiated amendments to the Texas Education Code and the PDAS rules that became effective with the 2003-04 school year, school districts now may choose to appraise certain teachers on a less-than-annual basis, though a teacher must be appraised at least once every five school years. A district may elect to continue to appraise all teachers annually as well, or limit less-than-annual appraisal options to certain district campuses. If an administrator fails to follow procedures with regard to an appraisal, the teacher generally has an option to file a grievance and have the appraisal declared void. (back to top)
Q: How do I know if I may qualify for less-than-annual formal appraisal?
A: First, your district must adopt a formal policy provision regarding this option. Such would normally be found in policy DNA (LOCAL). (back to top)
Q: This is a local policy, in addition to the state guidelines (rules)?
A: Yes, and it is important for you to be familiar with your district’s locally developed appraisal procedures found in DNA (LOCAL). Not only will you find (any) information concerning waiver of annual appraisal, but also other relevant provisions regarding:
- the scheduling of formal observations (including any notice requirements)
- selection of second appraisers
- scheduling and scoring of second appraisals
- any other local appraisal options and more
Q: If my district has adopted a policy providing for less-than-annual teacher appraisal, what must I do to qualify?
A: The amended law requires: 1) the individual teacher’s consent in writing; and 2) the teacher’s most recent appraisal was at least “proficient” or the equivalent, and did not identify any area of deficiency. Further, the PDAS rules provide that “area of deficiency” means a domain. Of course, a classroom teacher has a right to receive an annual appraisal if he or she so desires and does not otherwise waive this right in writing.
Q: Is that it? I have always been rated as “proficient” or “exceeds” on my past PDAS summative reports.
A: Again, you should carefully review your local appraisal policies. The Texas Education Code and the PDAS rules merely provide the minimum criteria for waiver of annual appraisal. Districts may (and many do) establish additional requirements concerning teacher eligibility for waiver.
For example, districts commonly limit this option to:
- teachers employed under a non-probationary contract
- properly certified in their teaching area
- teachers with specified terms of service with the district and/or current campus
- scoring “exceeds expectations” on specified domains
- scoring “proficient” for all domains for a designated number of consecutive years
- and/or receiving the approval of the appropriate campus administrator.
Appraisers normally provide waiver forms for teachers so qualifying and wishing to elect the waiver option.
Note: In some cases, this information may be found elsewhere, i.e., a district regulation or in other written matter. Teachers are entitled to copies of this information.
(back to top)
Q: I understand that school districts must place this type of information online?
A Districts maintaining a Web site are legally required to provide employees with employment-related policies via that source. This should include teacher appraisal policies and procedures.
Q: I also thought that the district was required to provide PDAS training?
A: True. The initial PDAS rules required that beginning with the 1997–98 school year all teachers must be provided with PDAS orientation sessions within the first three weeks of school and at least three weeks prior to the first observation.
Orientation materials must include:
- State and local appraisal policies
- Local appraisal calendar
- Information to assist the teacher in properly completing the Teacher Self-Report Form.
Further, your district should be willing to offer additional sessions or otherwise provide teachers with an opportunity to discuss and receive answers to their questions concerning the PDAS process.
In addition, the district is required to provide training updates to experienced teachers when substantial changes are made in the PDAS process. This would include the case of a school district opting to implement a local policy providing for less-than-annual appraisal.
A teacher new to the district also must be provided with an orientation at least three weeks prior to his or her first observation.
Q: Okay, I clearly meet my district’s local requirements and will waive a formal appraisal for the upcoming school year. When will I be formally appraised again?
A: There are several ways to answer this question. First, state law requires that all classroom teachers be appraised at least once every five school years. Your district may designate a shorter time period – every second or third year appears to be the preference of many districts.
Q: So, my principal and/or appraiser should not be coming into my classroom this year to observe me, right?
A: This is a common misconception of teachers on a less-than-annual formal appraisal cycle. Many districts will still conduct walk-throughs with accompanying written documentation. Others may provide the teacher with an abbreviated PDAS report after conducting walk-throughs or an informal observation, e.g., a report scoring Domains I – IV.
Still other districts may require an end-of-year conference with a short, general evaluation document. Of course, these types of documentation may always be utilized to determine if a teacher should be returned to the normal appraisal cycle.
Please also note that districts have the right to properly rescind policies providing for less-than-annual teacher appraisal as seen fit. In addition, district policies normally provide appraisers and administrators with great latitude and discretion in decisions to return teachers to the annual formal appraisal process.
Q: If I am new to the district or profession or otherwise have had appraisal issues in the past, when can I expect to have my formal observation?
A: First, note that the PDAS rules provide that a teacher’s annual appraisal must include at least one formal classroom observation. Additional observations and walk-throughs may be conducted at your appraiser’s discretion.
If you have received necessary PDAS training, your formal observation should not be conducted prior to the conclusion of three weeks following the training. Otherwise, the district may not conduct a formal observation during the first three weeks of student instruction.
Next go to your district’s local appraisal calendar/procedures (DNA [LOCAL]) for information concerning:
- Days excluded for observations
- Any scheduling options
- Procedures
- Required notice provisions
You also have a right to a pre-observation conference upon request. Such may be utilized to discuss prior walk-through data, and generally seek appraiser input and feedback about any concerns you might have. You also may wish to inquire as to your appraiser’s willingness to conduct a “practice run,” conducting an otherwise formal observation for formative purposes only.
Though your time is precious, new teachers should attempt to take advantage of any opportunities to observe veteran teachers early on, as well as to seek the active involvement of your assigned mentor teacher or other educators.
Finally, always take advantage of your right to request a post-observation conference to timely discuss any concerns about your observation report and necessary remedial measures.
Q: I also currently coach and have been the student council advisor in the past. May my performance in such assignments be considered for purposes of my PDAS evaluation?
A: The Texas Education Code provides that the teacher “shall be appraised only on the basis of classroom teaching…and not in connection with extracurricular activities.” However, in some cases the two duty assignments may converge. Your concerns in this area and other questions should be timely addressed with the TCTA Legal Department by calling toll-free (888) 879-8282.
[The above information is applicable to teacher evaluation in school districts utilizing the state-recommended appraisal process – the Professional Development and Appraisal System [PDAS]. Issues similar to those addressed above which arise under a locally developed appraisal process will require that teachers review their school district’s relevant local policies and procedures.]
Updated: 11/21/06
