2015 Oklahoma Statutes
Title 70. Schools
§70-6-101.16. Oklahoma Teacher and Leader Effectiveness Evaluation System.

A. By December 15, 2011, the State Board of Education shall adopt a new statewide system of evaluation to be known as the Oklahoma Teacher and Leader Effectiveness Evaluation System (TLE). The Board shall work cooperatively with school districts to fully implement both the quantitative and qualitative components of the TLE in all school districts by the 2016-2017 school year as provided for in Section 6-101.10 of this title, including determining the final calculation of the student academic growth measurement as provided for in subparagraph a of paragraph 4 of subsection B of this section and developing a teacher/student assignment verification system.

B. The TLE shall include the following components:

1. Annual evaluations that provide feedback to improve student learning and outcomes, except as provided for in subsection C of this section;

2. Comprehensive remediation plans and instructional coaching for all teachers who receive qualitative or quantitative ratings of "needs improvement" or "ineffective" in accordance with the rating system established in paragraph 3 of this subsection;

3. A five-tier rating system for both the qualitative and quantitative components set forth in paragraph 4 of this subsection as follows:

a.superior,

b.highly effective,

c.effective,

d.needs improvement, and

e.ineffective;

4.a.The quantitative ratings of teachers and leaders shall be based on quantitative components which shall include performance measures of a teacher and leader that are based on student academic growth using multiple years of standardized test data, as available, and performance measures for teachers in grades and subjects for which there is no state-mandated testing measure, as approved by the State Board of Education pursuant to subsection E of this section, and

b.The qualitative ratings of teachers and leaders shall be based on rigorous and fair qualitative assessment components;

5. An evidence-based qualitative assessment tool for the teacher qualitative portion of the TLE that will include observable and measurable characteristics of personnel and classroom practices that are correlated to student performance success, including, but not limited to:

a.organizational and classroom management skills,

b.ability to provide effective instruction,

c.focus on continuous improvement and professional growth,

d.interpersonal skills, and

e.leadership skills;

6. An evidence-based qualitative assessment tool for the leader qualitative portion of the TLE that will include observable and measurable characteristics of personnel and site management practices that are correlated to student performance success, including, but not limited to:

a.organizational and school management, including retention and development of effective teachers and dismissal of ineffective teachers,

b.instructional leadership,

c.professional growth and responsibility,

d.interpersonal skills,

e.leadership skills, and

f.stakeholder perceptions;

7. For those teachers in grades and subjects for which there is no state-mandated testing measure to create a quantitative assessment for the quantitative portion of the TLE, local school district boards of education shall choose evaluation methods from a list of reliable, research-based options approved by the State Board of Education pursuant to subsection E of this section. Emphasis shall be placed on the observed qualitative assessment as well as contribution to the overall school academic growth. For those teachers who have at least one tested grade or subject, school districts shall have the option of basing up to fifty percent (50%) of the quantitative rating on evaluation methods chosen from a list of reliable, research-based options approved by the State Board of Education pursuant to subsection E of this section;

8. For first-year and second-year teachers, evaluations shall be based solely on qualitative components set forth in subparagraph b of paragraph 4 of this subsection; and

9. For teachers who were previously employed by a different public school district and for teachers who enter into post-retirement employment with a public school, school districts shall have the option of basing those evaluations solely on the qualitative components set forth in subparagraph b of paragraph 4 of this subsection during their first year of employment.

C. Career teachers receiving a qualitative rating of "superior" or "highly effective" and a quantitative rating of "superior" or "highly effective" under the TLE may be evaluated once every two (2) years.

D. The Teacher and Leader Effectiveness Commission shall adopt the student academic growth quantitative components of the TLE as provided for in subparagraph a of paragraph 4 of subsection B of this section by May 1, 2014. The Commission shall provide oversight and advise the State Board of Education on the development and implementation of the TLE.

E. By December 1, 2015, the Teacher and Leader Effectiveness Commission shall recommend to the State Board of Education multiple reliable, research-based measures for providing a quantitative evaluation component for teachers in grades and subjects for which there is no state-mandated testing measure. The State Board of Education shall approve and publish a list of approved measures by February 1, 2016.

F. A school district with an average daily attendance of more than thirty-five thousand (35,000) which has incorporated quantitative components of the TLE into its evaluation system of teachers and administrators prior to the 2015-2016 school year may continue using its evaluation system, as defined by the school district's written policies, notwithstanding the provisions of this section and regardless of the State Board of Education's adoption of quantitative components pursuant to this section.

G. The State Department of Education shall provide to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the Oklahoma Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability timely electronic data linked to teachers and leaders derived from the TLE for purposes of providing a basis for the development of accountability and quality improvements of the teacher preparation system. The data shall be provided in a manner and at such times as agreed upon between the Department, the State Regents and the Commission.

H. For purposes of this section, "leader" means a principal, assistant principal or any other school administrator who is responsible for supervising classroom teachers.

I. The State Department of Education shall keep all data collected pursuant to the TLE and records of annual evaluations received pursuant to this section confidential. Records created pursuant to this section which identify, in any way, a current or former public employee shall not be subject to disclosure under the Oklahoma Open Records Act. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit disclosure otherwise required by this section; provided, however, any provisions requiring disclosure of TLE records shall be construed narrowly and all individually identifying information shall be removed from such records to the fullest extent possible.

Added by Laws 2010, c. 291, § 6, eff. July 1, 2010. Amended by Laws 2011, c. 177, § 1, eff. July 1, 2011; Laws 2013, c. 10, § 2, eff. July 1, 2013; Laws 2013, c. 373, § 4; Laws 2014, c. 130, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2014; Laws 2015, c. 54, § 29, emerg. eff. April 10, 2015; Laws 2015, c. 365, § 4, eff. July 1, 2015.

NOTE: Laws 2014, c. 331, § 3 repealed by Laws 2015, c. 54, § 30, emerg. eff. April 10, 2015.