725: Teacher Growth, Supervision and Evaluation
Responsible Administrator: Associate Superintendent Human Resources
PURPOSE
Sturgeon Public Schools recognizes the responsibility of all teachers to demonstrate professional actions, judgments and decisions that are in the best educational interests of students. In support of the provision of optimum teaching and learning opportunities, the Division provides certificated staff a means to continue their professional growth to meet the needs of students. All Alberta teachers are expected to meet the Teaching Quality Standard throughout their careers and the Code of Professional Conduct standards.
PROCEDURE
1. The Superintendent or designate shall be responsible and accountable for:
1.1 Communicating to school administrators, teachers and other stakeholders the Division’s Standards of Professional Practice which consist of the Teaching Quality Standard and the Leadership Quality Standard.
1.2 Supervising the implementation of the Teacher Growth, Supervision and Evaluation Practice.
1.3 Encouraging and promoting a positive Public School Division culture and climate that fosters continuous professional learning by all certificated staff.
1.4 Receiving reports from Principals indicating each certificated staff member has annually developed a Professional Growth or Mentorship Plan and submitted a Summary Report or undertaken consultation regarding the Professional Growth Plan.
1.5 Supporting Principals and certificated staff in the growth, supervision and evaluation processes including the receiving of Notices of Evaluation and Evaluation Summary Reports.
1.6 Recommending, where appropriate, a teacher who meets the Teaching Quality Standard for permanent certification as outlined in the Certification of Teachers Regulation.
1.7 Receiving copies of Notices of Remediation and Remediation Summary Reports arising from the remediation process.
1.8 Receiving copies of Letters of Direction and Reprimand.
1.9 Receiving appeals from staff and directing these appeals to the Central Office personnel.
1.10 Based upon information provided by the Principal and/or Central Office personnel, determining if a certificated staff member’s conduct or practice warrants disciplinary action and the extent of the disciplinary action.
2. Principals shall be responsible and accountable for:
2.1 Supervising professional practice on an ongoing basis within available resources and personnel by:
2.1.1 Reviewing long and short range planning documents.
2.1.2 Observing professional practice.
2.1.3 Identifying strengths in professional practice.
2.1.4 Identifying behaviours or practices that require evaluation.
2.2 Annually receiving by October 15, or within 45 days after the first teaching day if the certificated staff member is hired after September 15, a professional growth or mentorship plan.
2.3 Engaging in a collaborative process with each certificated staff member to review the Professional Growth or Mentorship Plan by November 15. In the case of a certificated staff member hired after September 15, this process will commence within two weeks of submission.
2.4 Submitting by June 30 written verification to the Superintendent that each certificated staff member has completed a summary report or undertaken formal consultation on the Professional Growth or Mentorship Plan.
2.5 Fostering positive school cultures and climates that demonstrate continuous professional learning.
2.6 Meeting the Leadership Quality Standard.
2.7 Engaging in on-going supervision of certificated staff and evaluating, when appropriate, staff within their school to:
2.7.1 Determine whether a certificated staff member’s practice meets the Standard.
2.7.2 Indicate to the Superintendent or designate whether a teacher holding an interim professional certificate meets the requirements of permanent certification as outlined in the Certification of Teachers Regulation.
2.8 Utilizing the appropriate processes, letters and forms found in the Sturgeon Guide to Growth, and Supervision of Certificated Staff and the Guide to Evaluation of Certificated Staff:
2.8.1 The Principal may designate a Vice-Principal to oversee a portion of the ongoing supervision of certificated staff.
2.8.2 The Principal may designate a Professional Learning Team (PLT) to oversee annual professional growth or mentorship plans of certificated staff.
3. Certificated Staff shall be responsible and accountable for:
3.1 Being knowledgeable of the Administrative Procedure on Teacher Growth, Supervision and Evaluation.
3.2 Being knowledgeable of the processes outlined in the Sturgeon Public Schools Guide to Growth and Supervision of Certificated Staff and Guide to Evaluation of Certificated Staff.
3.3 Meeting the Teaching Quality Standard.3.4Taking responsibility for professional growth by developing, implementing, executing, and reporting on an annual Professional Growth Plan.
3.5 Participating professionally in the growth and supervision process.
3.6 Participating professionally in any requested or required evaluation or remediation process.
3.7 Addressing those areas for improvement as identified during supervision and in evaluation summary and remediation reports.
3.8 Completing tasks assigned or adhering to directives given to them as per the Education Act, Alberta Education regulations, School Board policy, and Superintendent or designate authority.
4. Notwithstanding any other provision in the Growth and Supervision and Evaluation of Certificated Staff process:
4.1 The Superintendent, the designate or Principal may take disciplinary or other action, as appropriate, where there are reasonable grounds for believing that the actions or practices of a certificated staff member endanger the safety of students, or constitute a neglect of duty, a breach of trust or a refusal to obey a lawful order of the Board.
4.2 The Board or Superintendent may suspend an employee for the performance of duties under the provisions of The Education Act.
4.2.1 Where an employee is suspended or terminated, provisions under the appropriate legislation or regulation shall apply.
References:
Alberta Education Teacher Growth, Supervision and Evaluation Policy
The Alberta Teachers’ Association Code of Professional Conduct
SPS Guide to Growth and Supervision of Certificated Staff
SPS Guide to Evaluation of Certificated Staff
History
2020 Jan 29 Initial Approval
2024 Oct 11 Amended
Administrative Procedures VII. Personnel and Employee Relations (Teacher Staffing, Certification and Placement)