GCN-1-R: Evaluation of Professional Staff

TEACHER ASSESSMENT

On 1986 April, the Board of School Trustees (the “Board”) approved a set of procedures to be used by principals when conducting assessments of teachers.  The procedures are part of the Board/Vancouver Teachers’ Federation (VTF) Agreement.

Evaluation Procedures

• The evaluator shall discuss, clarify, and seek agreement from the teacher on the criteria to be used as the basis of the assessment prior to the first formal supervisory visit.  If a teacher disagrees with the criteria, the teacher may, without prejudice, indicate his/her objections in writing to the principal with a copy to the associate superintendent - area and to his/her union.
• Prior to the first formal visit, the evaluator shall give the teacher at least one school day's notice.
• As soon as practical after each formal supervisory visit, the evaluator will discuss his/her observations with the teacher.  The discussion will include comments on features observed.  Constructive suggestions and offers of assistance for improvement, where deemed necessary, will be in writing.  Any concerns will be reviewed prior to the next formal supervisory visit.
• If the formal written report of the evaluator contains a "less than satisfactory" conclusion, it may contain negative comment only on matters mentioned in writing after previous visits.
• The evaluator shall be specific in his/her comments and shall base comments on personal observation and knowledge.
• Reports shall focus on the teacher's predominant area of assignment.
• If the report concludes that the teacher's work is "less than satisfactory," it shall note any discrepancy between the teacher's assignment and his/her professional training.
• The teacher shall be given a draft of the report of his/her performance at least one week before the last teaching day in April so that the teacher may have an opportunity to make comments, suggest changes, or point out alleged errors of  fact.  (If the report concludes that the teacher's work is "less than satisfactory," the teacher shall be given the draft at least two weeks before the last teaching day in April and shall return to the principal at least one week before the last teaching day in April any comments that he/she wishes to make about the comments in the report).
• The teacher, upon receiving the report on or before the last teaching day in April, shall have the right to respond, in writing, to the contents of the evaluator's report, and a copy of the teacher's comments shall be given to the evaluator.
• Nothing in these procedures can limit the rights of the teacher or the Board with respect to teacher assessment statements contained in relevant sections of the School Act and Regulations.

DMT Responsibility: AS-HR