Buzz
When a teacher undergoes an evaluation indicating significant improvements are necessary, potentially leading to dismissal or non-reemployment, or when an administrator identifies poor performance or conduct that may result in termination recommendation, they should provide written admonishment to the teacher and offer reasonable assistance in rectifying the situation.
Teacher improvement plans, also known as educator improvement plans, are collaboratively developed documents between a struggling teacher and the school administrator. There is no standardized template for these plans; they may vary based on district or principal preferences. The primary aim is to support the struggling teacher by identifying weaknesses and devising strategies for improvement. Follow these steps to create an effective educator improvement plan.
Steps
- Discuss issues highlighted in previous evaluations and their subsequent lack of improvement.
- Highlight specific instances where the teacher exhibited inadequacy.
- Review complaints from students, colleagues, administrators, or parents.
- Acknowledge the teacher's strengths to foster encouragement for improvement.
- Create detailed yet concise notes. For instance, if classroom discipline is an issue, list 'Classroom Behavior Management' as an area for improvement.
- Work collaboratively with the teacher to establish achievable goals. For instance, if classroom behavior management is a concern, a series of actionable steps may include: '1) Shadowing a proficient colleague, 2) Participating in relevant workshops, 3) Creating a personalized discipline plan, 4) Executing the plan.'
- Reach an agreement with the teacher on the evidence required to demonstrate improvement. In the case of behavior management, measurable progress could involve a decrease in disciplinary referrals or improved classroom conduct during observations.
- Work with the teacher to establish a reasonable timeframe for implementing changes.
- Clearly communicate the consequences of failing to meet the agreed-upon deadlines.
- Offer access to mentors, educational centers, and relevant handbooks to aid in the improvement process.
Helpful Tips
-
Grant teachers time off to observe other classrooms, attend workshops, and enroll in courses aimed at improvement.
-
Integrate 1 or 2 milestones into the plan leading up to the deadline. Including benchmarks enables teachers to monitor their progress towards their objectives prior to the deadline.
Important Notices
- Teacher improvement plans should not be initiated abruptly. Teachers must be adequately informed of any identified areas for improvement before such plans are implemented.
