Long-Range Plans: Number Required (April 2008)

Guideline: For the purposes of SAFE-T only one long-range plan (LRP) is required for submission during each evaluation period (SAFE-T Guide for Teachers and Evaluators, 2008, p. 5).

Intent: The intent of this statement is to establish the minimum requirement in terms of the number of LRPs that must be submitted.

Clarification: Districts may require teachers to submit additional LRPs for evaluation so long as

1. the district applies the requirement uniformly to all teachers who are undergoing SAFE-T;
2. teachers are informed of this requirement orally and in writing during the orientation to SAFE-T; and
3. evaluators are informed of this requirement orally and in writing before the beginning of the evaluation period.

Classroom Observations: Number Required (April 2008)

Guideline: Two or more members of the evaluation team must each conduct at least one integral classroom observation during each of the two evaluation cycles (i.e., preliminary and final). In other words, a minimum of four integral classroom observations (i.e., two per cycle) must be conducted during the year (SAFE-T Guide for Teachers and Evaluators, 2008, p. 13).

Intent: The intent of this requirement is to establish the minimum number of integral classroom observations that must be conducted to collect evidence relative to APSs 4-9.

Clarification: For each "ASP 4-9" course, (1) the teacher must have been required to submit a long-range plan and (2) the evaluation team must conduct at least two integral classroom observations during the evaluation period.

Names of Evaluation Team Members: Notification to Teachers (April 2008)

Guideline: The teachers must be informed of the names of the members of their evaluation teams [at the time of the orientation] (SAFE-T Guide for Teachers and Evaluators, 2008, p. 2).

Intent: The intent of this requirement is to ensure that teachers are informed of the names of their evaluators prior to the beginning of the evaluation process.

Clarification: In instances where the district conducts the teacher orientation prior to the opening of school, the teacher must be informed of the names of the members of his or her evaluation team on or before the first day of the district’s preliminary evaluation cycle.

Preliminary Evaluation Period: Beginning Date (April 2008)

Guideline: The preliminary evaluation period begins on the date that the teacher orientation is held (SAFE-T Guide for Teachers and Evaluators, 2008, p. 1; 24).

Intent: The intent of this requirement is to ensure that teachers receive a comprehensive orientation prior to the beginning of the evaluation process.

Clarification: In instances where the district conducts the teacher orientation prior to the opening of school, the preliminary evaluation period begins on the date established and announced by the school district. The preliminary evaluation period must cover approximately 45 working days and must occur during the first semester of the school year.