New York State Evaluation System
The 鶹 believes that well-designed and implemented evaluation systems can help to support teachers and school leaders by encouraging reflection and goal-setting; creating opportunities for collaboration among educators; providing timely, actionable feedback that supports growth and development; identifying personalized professional learning opportunities; and recognizing excellent educators and creating opportunities for great teachers to remain in the classroom, while advancing their careers through teacher leadership roles such as school-based teacher educators, mentor teachers, instructional coaches, and other differentiated roles.
On Friday, June 28, 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul signed Chapter 143 of the Laws of 2024, which amends Education Law §3012-d and establishes Education Law §3012-e. Accordingly, school districts and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) will transition to new teacher and principal evaluation systems beginning in the 2024- 25 school year,as described in a Memo to the Field dated July 2, 2024.
The enactment of Education Law §3012-e provides an opportunity for school districts and BOCES to reflect on their current educator evaluation practices and to develop new locally designed systems consistent with 鶹’s vision and our shared goal of supporting teacher and leader development across the career continuum. These new Standards-based Educator Evaluation and Professional Support (“STEPS”) plans should support all educators’ professional growth as a part of a comprehensive, systematic approach to advancing excellence in teaching and learning aligned to our New York State Teaching Standards and Educational Leadership Standards, including the Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education Framework. Through multiple measures, including observations, educators will receive meaningful feedback on their practice and intentional professional learning and growth opportunities.
Status of Current Educator Evaluation Plans and Next Steps
The new evaluation law provides that LEAs may keep their currently approved Education Law §3012-d educator evaluation plans through the 2031-32 school year. Additionally, the law allows LEAs to submit material changes to those plans through that same time period. LEAs must adopt a STEPS plan by June 30, 2032 of the 2031-32 school year.
On November 4, 2024, the Board of Regents adopted emergency regulations to implement the provisions of Education Law §3012-e. Although the Board’s regulations take effect immediately and LEAs will be able to submit new plans later this year, a STEPS plan is a substantially different evaluation plan than those created under EL §3012-d and LEAs are advised to use this school year to read guidance and design a new evaluation plan for 25-26 school year and beyond. A copy of the Board of Regents Item and regulations are available on the.