With a year under its belt, the Jaffrey-Rindge School District is looking for ways to improve its newly implemented staff evaluation process.
Superintendent Reuben Duncan presented information to the School Board on Monday about the evaluation process, which now includes a series of smaller evaluations throughout the year, called mini-observations.
“Mini-observations last 10 to 15 minutes, which are followed up by a conversation about what was seen,” said Duncan. “The conversation allows for more learning and growth opportunities because of the continual dialogue.”
Duncan said the goal for the district in the 2015-16 school year was to have at least four mini-observations for each staff member, a goal that was not met. Of the 134 teachers involved, only 47 had four min-observations, with all but three having at least two mini-observations.
“Many teachers said they had two good mini-observations,” said Duncan. “We had an overwhelming number of teacher say that they liked the mini-observations.”
For this year, Duncan said the goal is to have at least four mini-observations with each teacher.
Duncan also said that a subcommittee established to look at the process recommended that face-to-face feedback and discussion happens within two weeks of the mini-observation, and that summative evaluations be completed every three years, rather than every year.
Duncan said the mini-observations will be used as a part of a teacher’s summative evaluation, but they are not part of an employee’s personnel file.
Nicholas Handy can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 235.