Teacher evaluation has emerged as a major focus for reform at the highest levels of education policymaking, and for good reason. Most evaluations are based on scant evidence of actual effectiveness, produce inflated ratings, and provide teachers with little useful feedback. This paper offers policymakers and practitioners important "lessons…

Administrators and their teaching staffs share responsibility for meeting federal, state, and district mandates regarding the delivery of educational services. Assessment and action plans, which grow from the partnership between the principal and teacher, are the key to improving student learning and performance. Year-end improvement plans are…