Pilot program evaluating New Jersey teachers to begin this fall

New teacher evaluations that are part of Governor Christie’s education reforms will not be put in place in all of New Jersey’s districts at once.

Plans call for a handful of districts to implement the evaluation system in September and to expand it statewide in the following school year.

Classroom observation and improved student achievement will be major factors in rating teachers.

Andy Smarick is special assistant to the state education commissioner. He says an improved teacher evaluation system is one of the highest priorities and is a cornerstone for other education reforms.

“If you have a great teacher evaluation system then you can start to have much more thoughtful decisions about these other policy and personnel decisions, whether its compensation or tenure reform or certification or professional development,” said Smarick.

The state is working with educators to develop the specific assessments that will be used to measure student and teacher performance.