A Study of Missouri\u27s Educator Evaluation System and its Efforts to Increase Teacher and Leader Effectiveness

This pilot project study explored the relationship between the newly created Educator Evaluation System by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in Missouri and a change in the professional performance of teachers and leaders. In particular, it addressed whether the process articulated in the state’s new model resulted in a positive change in an educator’s performance ultimately leading to improvements in student learning. A detailed review of the state’s model is provided along with the research that supports the need for each step in the process. The pilot project conducted is described and data are reviewed from the participating districts in the pilot. The pilot district data offered in this study demonstrates that a majority of those teachers and administrators who participated in the pilot and used the state’s model showed some measure of growth in their professional performance. In fact, well over 90% of those teachers and administrators who participated in the pilot project experienced a positive change in their professional performance, regardless of the particular indicator on which they focused. While traditionally educator evaluation based determinations and ratings of performance primarily from observation data, the Missouri Educator Evaluation System draws from multiple sources. These multiple sources are categorized into three professional frames: commitment, and impact. The commitment frame considers the quality of the teacher in terms of their credentialing, preparation and other similar artifacts indicative of a high quality teacher. The frame considers the quality of the teaching and is gathered through the traditional approach of observation. The impact frame looks at outcome data or the results that occur. All three frames work interdependently to establish a measure of effectiveness. A positive change in an educator’s professional performance, as demonstrated by an overwhelming number of teachers and administrators who participated in the pilot project study, requires support by evidence in all three frames. Specifically for teachers, and for some indicators for the administrator, the evidence from the impact frame includes student performance data. The results from this pilot project study demonstrated that a positive change in a teacher’s professional performance is accompanied by a positive change in the learning of their students