Pennsylvania Code & Bulletin
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

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The Pennsylvania Code website reflects the Pennsylvania Code changes effective through 53 Pa.B. 8238 (December 30, 2023).

22 Pa. Code § 19.3a. Principal Evaluation.

§ 19.3a. Principal Evaluation.

 Educator Effectiveness rating tools, comprised of instructions and forms, function as summary records in the evaluation of the effectiveness of professional employees as defined. Educator Effectiveness rating tools shall be used in accordance with the General Provisions contained in §  19.1a (relating to general provisions).

 Table 19.3a-1 represents the rating form for the evaluation of principals, including assistant or vice principals, directors of career and technical centers, and supervisors of special education, and depicts the significance (that is, weighting) of each rating area to the overall performance rating.

Table 19.3a-1: PDE 13-2 Rating Form



PDE 13-2
Department of Education
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
LEA: School:
Employee Name (Last, First, Middle):
Rating Period:  Professional Employee  or   Temporary Professional Employee
Date Completed:  Annual Evaluation  or   Semi-Annual Evaluation (Temporary only)


PRINCIPAL RATING FORM
(A) OBSERVATION & PRACTICE
Domain Rating
(a)
Factor*
(b)
Adjusted Rating
(a x b)
Strategic/Cultural Leadership [0—3] 10%—30% [0—0.90]
Systems Leadership [0—3] 10%—30% [0—0.90]
Leadership for Learning [0—3] 10%—30% [0—0.90]
Professional & Community Leadership [0—3] 10%—30% [0—0.90]
(A) Observation & Practice Rating
[0—3]
*The four assigned factors must total 100%.
(B) STUDENT PERFORMANCE
Building Level Score**
Converted to a 0—3 Point Scale
[0—3]
**Scores for principals assigned to multiple buildings shall be calculated pro rata.
(C) PERFORMANCE GOALS
Performance Goals Rating
[0—3]
(D) PRINCIPAL SUMMATIVE RATING (ALL MEASURES)
Principal Category Measure Rating
(f)
Factor
(g)
Adjusted Rating
(f x g)
Principal/Temporary Principal with Building Level Data Observation & Practice [0—3] 70% [0—2.10]
Building Level
Data
[0—3] 10% [0—0.30]
Performance
Goals
[0—3] 20% [0—0.60]
PRINCIPAL WITH BUILDING LEVEL DATA RATING
[0—3]***
Principal/Temporary Principal w/out Building Level Data Observation & Practice [0—3] 80% [0—2.40]
Performance
Goals
[0—3] 20% [0—0.60]
PRINCIPAL W/OUT BUILDING LEVEL DATA RATING
[0—3]***
***Final Rating Values 0
Failing
1
Needs
Improvement
2         3
Proficient   Distinguished


I certify the afore-named employee has received a performance rating of:
  DISTINGUISHED       PROFICIENT       NEEDS         FAILING
IMPROVEMENT
Distinguished, Proficient, or Needs Improvement* shall be considered Satisfactory. Failing shall be considered
Unsatisfactory.
*A second Needs Improvement rating issued by the same employer within 4 years of the first where the
employee is in the same certification shall be considered Unsatisfactory.
The performance rating shall be deemed:
   SATISFACTORY                       UNSATISFACTORY
Date: Rater Name/Position:
Date: Chief School Administrator Signature:
I acknowledge that I have read the information contained herein and that I have been provided an opportunity to discuss it with the rater.
Date: Employee Signature:
Employee signature does not signify agreeance with the performance rating.

 (a)  Observation and Practice

   (1)  The evaluation of the effectiveness of a professional employee serving as a principal shall be based on observation and practice models (see Table 19.1a-1: Rating Areas and Significance by Professional Employee Evaluated).

   (2)  Approved practice models related to planning and preparation, school environment, delivery of service and professional development shall be aligned to four domains of leadership and published on the Department’s web site. The practice models and four domains establish a framework for the Observation and Practice evaluation of principals. An LEA may use any portion or combination of the approved practice models associated with a domain in determining a domain rating for the professional employee.

   (3)  A rating must be given in each of the four domains, with each domain rating constituting a percentage of the single, summative Observation and Practice rating.

   (4)  The percentage, or weighting, assigned to each domain must be established before the start of the evaluation period by the principal and the evaluator (see Table 19.3a-2: Principal Observation & Practice Weighting by Domain).

     (i)   No domain shall be assigned a value of less than 10% or greater than 30%.

     (ii)   The total of the four domains must equal 100% of the rating for Observation and Practice.

Table 19.3a-2: Principal Observation & Practice Weighting by Domain



DOMAIN PERCENTAGE OF OBSERVATION &
PRACTICE RATING
I. Strategic/Cultural Leadership 10%—30%
II. Systems Leadership 10%—30%
III. Leadership for Learning 10%—30%
IV. Professional & Community Leadership 10%—30%

   (5)  The rating for each domain of principal practice shall be based on the four levels of performance as defined in Table 19.3a-3.

Table 19.3a-3: The Four Levels of Performance by Domain* (Principal)



I. STRATEGIC/CULTURAL LEADERSHIP (10%—30%)
School leaders/supervisors systematically and collaboratively develop a positive, equitable, and inclusive culture to promote continuous student growth and staff development. They articulate and model a clear vision for the school that meaningfully engages all students, communities, and staff.
Failing Needs Improvement Proficient Distinguished
The school leader/supervisor provides little or no strategic direction with most work being done by staff in isolation.

Decisions are not student-focused and reflect opinion with little use of data. Fails
to recognize the need for change.
The school leader/supervisor provides some strategic direction with a few collaborative processes in place.

Data is used sparingly to make decisions with some focus on improvement. The culture is moderately student-centered.

Change occurs only when required to meet the expectations of others.
The school leader/supervisor utilizes a data-based vision that is student-centered.

The culture is collaborative with a focus on continuous improvement. The staff is held accountable for student success.

Change is evidence based.
The school leader/supervisor establishes a future-focused, data-based vision around individual student success.

The culture is highly collaborative with staff accepting responsibility for the achievement of each student.

Change for continuous improvement is embraced.
II. SYSTEMS LEADERSHIP (10%—30%)
School leaders/supervisors ensure that there are processes and systems in place for budgeting, staffing, problem solving, communicating expectations, and scheduling that result in organizing the work routines. They must manage efficiently, effectively, and safely to foster student achievement in a positive, equitable, inclusive environment.
Failing Needs Improvement Proficient Distinguished
The school leader/supervisor establishes an educational environment that is characterized by disorder and conflict with no plan evident for school safety.

Resources are allocated with little or no focus on the needs of students.

Staff is low performing with no system designed to improve.
The school leader/supervisor establishes an educational environment in which rules and regulations partially support orderly conduct and school safety.

Educator evaluations are completed as an administrative process only.

Resources are not allocated equitably to meet the needs of all students.
The school leader/supervisor establishes and communicates a clear plan for school safety.

An effective educator evaluation system is used to improve instruction.

Time schedules, student scheduling, and other resources are structured to meet the needs of all students.
The school leader/supervisor clearly involves all staff in the development and implementation of a safe school plan.

Evidence-based research and strategies are mainstays of a plan for improvement of instruction.

Staff and students maintain a respectful environment and celebrate differences.

Resources are equitably allocated based upon student need and are aligned with a clearly stated vision.
III. LEADERSHIP FOR LEARNING (10%—30%)
School leaders/supervisors ensure that a standards-aligned system is in place to address, in a positive, equitable, and inclusive manner, the linkage of curriculum, instruction, assessment; data on student learning; and educator effectiveness based on research and emerging, evidence-based best practices.
Failing Needs Improvement Proficient Distinguished
The school leader/supervisor establishes an educational environment that is characterized by low expectations for both students and staff.

Curriculum, instruction, and assessment are viewed as independent entities.

No plan for improvement exists.

Significant interruptions to instructional time frequently occur.
The school leader/supervisor establishes an educational environment that is characterized by inconsistent expectations.

Effort is being made to align curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

School improvement efforts are sporadic.

The quality of instruction is inconsistent.

A moderate number of interruptions occur.
The school leader/supervisor regularly and consistently communicates high expectations to staff, students, and community.

Curriculum, instruction, and assessment are aligned.

The school leader/supervisor is at the forefront of improvement efforts and assures high quality instruction is delivered to all students.

Instructional time is maximized with few or no interruptions.
The school leader/supervisor ensures students and staff support and maintain high expectations.

The school leader/supervisor and staff collaborate on a consistent basis to assess
and align curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

School improvement efforts are jointly developed by the school leader/supervisor and staff.

Instructional time is highly valued and maximized without unnecessary interruptions.
IV. PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP (10%—30%)
School leaders/supervisors promote the success of all students, the positive interactions among building stakeholders, and the professional growth of staff by acting with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical manner.
Failing Needs Improvement Proficient Distinguished
The school leader/supervisor establishes little or no communication among school and the community.

Staff members exhibit low levels of professionalism.

Little or no professional development exists.
The school leader/supervisor establishes minimal levels of communication among school and the community.

Staff members exhibit moderate levels of professionalism.

Isolated professional development activities exist.
The school leader/supervisor ensures that there is regular, consistent communication among school and community.

Community members are partners in the educational program.

Staff members exhibit high levels of professionalism.

Professional development is based upon identified needs and is aligned with instructional priorities.
The school leader/supervisor ensures that high levels of two-way communication exist among school and community.

Staff members are involved beyond the school day to support students’ academic and social-emotional needs.

Staff is highly involved in planning, implementing, and participating in professional development aligned with instructional priorities.

 *Crosswalks pertaining to the four domains in Leadership Observation and Practice in the rating form and the professional practice areas of planning and preparation, school environment, delivery of service, and professional development, as set forth in section 1138.4(a) are posted on the Department’s web site.

   (6)  Observation and Practice ratings shall be informed using evidentiary source materials noted in the professional employee’s record, including dates and times as applicable. Records may include, but are not limited to, any combination of the following items as appropriate for the employee and the employee’s placement in a school or program:

     (i)   Notations of professional observations, employee/rater conferences or interviews, or informal observations or visits.

     (ii)   Communication logs (such as emails, letters, notes regarding phone conversations to parents, staff, students, community members).

     (iii)   Utilization of formative and summative assessments that impact instruction and critiques of lesson plans.

     (iv)   Agendas and minutes of meetings, programs, courses, or planning sessions.

     (v)   Family, parent, school and community feedback.

     (vi)   Development and implementation of school improvement plans, professional growth programs, in-service programs, student assemblies, safety programs, and other events or programs that promote educational efficacy, health and safety.

     (vii)   Budget and expenditure reports.

     (viii)   Professional development documentation toward continuance of certification or licensure or both.

     (ix)   Examination of sources of evidence provided by the employee.

   (7)  The evidence and evaluator observations and findings shall provide the basis for rating the professional employee’s level of performance in each of the four domains and for assigning each domain rating a zero, one, two or three point value.

   (8)  The rating value for each domain is adjusted by the percentage factor attributed to that domain (see Table 19.3a-1: PDE 13-2 Rating Form, Part (A)); the sum of the adjusted values is the Principal Observation and Practice rating.

 (b)  Student Performance: Building Level Data

   (1)  Student Performance data as available and attributable at the building level shall comprise 10% of the evaluation of the effectiveness of a professional employee serving as a principal (see Table 19.1a-1: Rating Areas and Significance by Professional Employee Evaluated).

   (2)  A Building Level Score is comprised minimally of two of the four measures (Assessment, Growth, Attendance Rate, Graduation Rate). If fewer than two of the four measures are available, the Building Level Data weighting of 10% shall be reallocated to Observation and Practice.

   (3)  For a principal assigned to multiple buildings, a single Building Level Score shall be calculated proportional to the professional employee’s building assignments.

   (4)  A principal who transfers from one building to another within an LEA shall have the option of using Observation and Practice or Performance Goals measures instead of Building Level Data for the first 2 school years of the new location assignment. Before evaluation in the new location assignment, the principal and the LEA shall agree upon one or more replacement measures and the reallocation of the Building Level Data weighting of 10% to the selected measures to calculate the final performance rating.

 (c)  Performance Goals

   (1)  Performance Goals shall comprise 20% of the annual evaluation for all principals.

   (2)  Performance Goals shall be determined before the beginning of each school year between the principal and the supervising administrator, referencing the Observation and Practice leadership domains and practice models to inform the focus areas of performance. Performance Goals may be district-specific or building-specific goals and should include specific measurable areas and the evidence to be collected during the year.

   (3)  After the initial meeting to determine goals, the principal and the supervising administrator shall meet midyear to monitor progress on the established Performance Goals and to modify as necessary.

   (4)  At the conclusion of the school year, the principal and the immediate supervisor shall meet to evaluate the attainment of Performance Goals and a zero, one, two- or three-point rating shall be assigned.

Authority

   The provisions of this §  19.3a issued under sections 1138.3(d)(1), 1138.4(e)(1), 1138.5(d)(1) and 1138.11 of the Public School Code of 1949 (24 P.S. §  1138.3(d)(1), 1138.4(e)(1), 1138.5(d)(1) and 1138.11); and sections 201 and 506 of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P.S. § §  61 and 186).

Source

   The provisions of this §  19.3a adopted March 26, 2021, effective March 31, 2021, 51 Pa.B. 1653.

Cross References

   This section cited in 22 Pa. Code §  19.1a (relating to general provisions).



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