This issue introduces a new feature for the journal, a section on legal issues related to personnel evaluation, instituted because litigation and legislation in the area of personnel evaluation seem to be on the increase. (SLD)

Most states mandate evaluation of all certified employees, but most school systems lack a prescribed evaluation process for counselors, nurses, librarians, media specialists, and school psychologists. The Professional Support Personnel Evaluation Model defines a prescriptive, yet flexible seven-step process based on identifying system needs and…

A teacher portfolio--a collection of information about a teacher's practice--gives teachers a voice in selecting, presenting, and interpreting the work they do. Although portfolios can be used for a variety of purposes and for teachers at any developmental stage, this book focuses on their use by practicing teachers for the purposes of evaluation…

Among the principal's most powerful tools for school improvement and effectiveness are program and personnel evaluation. Professional specialists, however, are especially difficult to evaluate. This document presents the Professional Support Personnel (PSP) Evaluation Model for evaluating nonteaching, nonadministrative professionals. These…

Current state policies and practices regarding the evaluation of professional support personnel in education were studied through a 1993 national survey. Many school systems are beginning to recognize the need for defined evaluation processes for professional support personnel, but there is significant variation in the levels of state support.…