2nd Evaluation Period Ends
Protect Yourself from Evaluation Abuses

In the upcoming months, many of our staff members will be receiving their evaluations. An evaluation when used properly can be a positive tool, which assists teaching staff members when they need guidance. Unfortunately, evaluations can also be used to threaten employees and their livelihoods.

Here are several key points to remember before, during, and after your evaluation process;

• Non-tenured staff members must receive minimum of (3) observations/evaluations required pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:27-3.1. Each should be conducted for a minimum duration of one class period in a secondary school, and in an elementary school for the duration of one complete subject lesson.
• Tenured staff members must receive a minimum of (1) formal evaluation.
• Whether or not you have been "formally" evaluated, if a principal/supervisor comes into your classroom during an instructional period while you are teaching he/she must provide you with a post conference.
• Before all "formal" evaluations, your administrator must provide you with a pre/post conference.
• Do not take an evaluation lightly. An evaluation which makes innuendoes which charges staff members with questionable performance could later be used to threaten your employment or your increment.
• During your post conference if you feel the meeting may have an impact on your employment do not volunteer information until you have the chance to seek Association representation.
• Avoid self-incrimination. Comment freely on positive aspects of your performance, and let your supervisor identify any alleged deficiencies.
• Insist that commendations appear on the record. They may be valuable in future proceedings.

Finally, the P.E.A. PR&R Committee always recommends writing a rebuttal on all evaluations. A rebuttal can be written as a response to any written or verbal review of a teacher's performance. Once a rebuttal is written and attached it has become part of the record and counters inaccuracies, misconceptions, and erroneous statements.

In the month of February the PR&R Committee will hold a workshop for all P.E.A. Delegates on "Rebuttal Writing". Always seek the advice of a delegate before submitting a rebuttal.