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OSSTF District 11- Thames Valley
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District 11 Office |
ISSUE FACT SHEET: TEACHER PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL
Background Information
 | On December 12, 2001, the Ontario Legislature passed Bill 110, The Quality in the Classroom Act. The sections of the Act providing for teacher performance appraisal have been proclaimed and accompanying regulations were filed on March 15, 2002. |
| The implementation of this law in Thames Valley began in September 2003 in order for an Advisory Committe to have time to fold the new regulations into their existing policy. |
| The government has published an 82 page manual for the administration of this process. (See resources list.) |
| The regulation states that teachers must be evaluated every three years. The principal must notify the teacher within 20 school days after the teacher begins teaching if the year is scheduled as an evaluation year. |
| The Teacher Performance Appraisal system and Annual Learning Plans are separate from and have nothing to do with teacher recertification (PLP). |
OSSTF Concerns and Action
| The Teacher Performance Appraisal process imposed by the former tory government is similar to many of the performance review processes that were already in existence in many boards, but is much more cumbersome and with much shorter timelines. The accelerated timelines, the 4-level rubric, and the inclusion of student and parent surveys as part of the process are among the OSSTF’s greatest concerns. |
| The OSSTF has provided summaries of the Regulations governing the Teacher Performance Appraisal system (Ontario Regulation 99/02) and Annual Learning Plans (Regulation 98/02). |
| The OSSTF Teachers bargaining units have negotiated clauses on Teacher Performance Appraisal in contracts to minimize its implementation, scope, and impact. |
| Department Heads and Program Leaders may assist in the improvement of instruction and the maintenance of proper standards, but they are not to evaluate personnel nor assist Principals in administering performance appraisals. Policy 2 (CBEV Policy) in the OSSTF Policy and Procedures Manual describes OSSTF policy and members’ rights and responsibilities concerning "Supervision for Growth and Performance". |
OSSTF Advice Concerning the Teacher Performance Appraisal
| The Teacher Performance Appraisal manual is quite explicit in terms of what is required at every stage in the process, and what the roles and responsibilities of boards, principals, and teachers are during the process. It would be beneficial to be aware of what these are. Click here for an Overview (flowchart) of the Teacher Performance Appraisal Process. |
| Teachers should document the appraisal process (click here for a Teacher Performance Appraisal Checklist) and ensure that the principal has followed the appraisal procedures. Assessment/appraisal should be related to the specific aspects of the competencies discussed at the pre-observation meeting. Teachers should be involved in the evaluation process. The principal should assist teachers in their personal and professional development. |
| Members have a right to see all of the parent and student input every year. Teacher access to the surveys should not be limited to just the evaluation year. |
| Since the Teacher Performance Appraisal Process draws on the Standards of Practice, a good place to find suitable professional growth activities to include in one's Annual Learning Plan is the Professional Learning Framework (Note: this is completely different from the PLP) developed by the College of Teachers. This ensures maximum flexibility for teachers and an easy starting point for completion of the plan. Many aspects of the framework do not lend themselves to measurable and quantifiable review. |
| Teachers should maintain a Professional Portfolio. (See Resources list below.) |
| At any time during the Teacher Performance Appraisal process, call the District Office if you have questions or concerns, but most definitely if you have been given an "unsatisfactory" rating on your summative report. |
Resources
| The Provincial OSSTF's Teacher Performance Appraisal Page |
| The Teacher Performance Appraisal Manual and Approved Forms and Guidelines can be downloaded from the Ministry of Education's website. |
| District 11 Resource Pamphlet: Information and Professional Development to enhance teacher performance |
| Click here to read a Resource Pamphlet on Professional Portfolios. |
| Professional Learning Framework |
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Revised Thursday, June 29, 2006
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