2016 Arkansas Code
Title 6 - Education
Subtitle 2 - Elementary and Secondary Education Generally
Chapter 17 - Personnel
Subchapter 28 - -- Teacher Excellence and Support System
§ 6-17-2808. Implementation -- Applicability

(a) Beginning in the 2014-2015 school year, a public school shall implement the Teacher Excellence and Support System, § 6-17-2801 et seq., for all teachers employed at the public school under the rules established by the State Board of Education.

(b) (1) Annually during a school year, a public school shall conduct a summative evaluation for every teacher employed in the public school who is a:

(A) Novice teacher;

(B) Probationary teacher; or

(C) Teacher who successfully completed intensive support status within the current or immediately preceding school year.

(2) (A) At least one (1) time every four (4) school years, a public school shall conduct a summative evaluation for a teacher who is not in a status under subdivision (b)(1) of this section.

(B) In a school year in which a summative evaluation is not required for a teacher under this subdivision (b)(2), the teacher:

(i) Shall focus on elements of the teacher's professional growth plan as approved by the evaluator that are designed to help the teacher improve his or her teaching practices; and

(ii) With the evaluator's approval may:

(a) Collaborate with a team of teachers on a shared plan that benefits the whole school, a content area, or a grade level; or

(b) Conduct self-directed research related to the teacher's professional growth plan under § 6-17-2806.

(C) During the two (2) years in which a summative evaluation is not required, a public school may conduct an evaluation that is lesser in scope than a summative evaluation but uses the portions of the evaluation framework and evaluation rubrics that are relevant to the teacher's professional growth plan.

(3) Annually, a public school shall assign each teacher employed by the school an annual overall rating that is based on:

(A) The teacher's professional practice, as evidenced by the performance rating for a summative evaluation or for an interim appraisal; and

(B) Student growth, as determined by rules promulgated by the State Board of Education.

(4) (A) A teacher shall submit artifacts agreed upon by the teacher and evaluator, or by the evaluator if the teacher and evaluator cannot agree, as evidence of professional practice in determining the performance rating for a summative evaluation or for an interim appraisal.

(B) External assessment measures may be among the artifacts submitted.

(c) (1) A teacher shall:

(A) Participate in the Teacher Excellence and Support System under this subchapter, including without limitation in:

(i) Classroom observations; and

(ii) Pre-observation and post-observation conferences; and

(B) (i) Collaborate in good faith with the evaluator to develop the teacher's professional growth plan under § 6-17-2806(a).

(ii) If a teacher and evaluator cannot agree on the professional growth plan, the evaluator's decision shall be final.

(2) A failure to comply with this subsection may be reflected in the teacher's evaluation.

(d) Every teacher contract renewed or entered into after July 27, 2011 is subject to and shall reference this subchapter.

(e) A public school that in the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 school years uses a nationally recognized system of teacher evaluation and support that is substantially similar to the Teacher Excellence and Support System may continue to use that system and is deemed to have met the requirements of this section.