What is Teacher Development and Evaluation (TD&E)?

MN Statute 122A.41 defines requirements for teacher (educator) evaluation. Saint Paul Public Schools and Saint Paul Federation of Educators collaborated to create a local plan for TD&E to promote educator development and student learning. An effective TD&E system was created to include an Individualized Growth and Development Plan, Student Achievement, Student Engagement, Peer Collaboration, and Educator Practice which all culminates in a Summative Evaluation. All educators in the SPFE bargaining contract participate in TD&E.

How is the TD&E plan modified and updated?

The TD&E Oversight Committee was established to assist in determining modifications to the TD&E plan based upon stakeholder data and implementation feedback.  

Is any part of an educator's evaluation public information? Can parents/guardians ask to see any of the data or documentation?

The purpose of TD&E is to provide educators with meaningful feedback to help them grow professionally. Parents and other members of the public will not have access to documents related to a specific educator's evaluation.

Are there any educators who are exempt from TD&E?

No, all educators under the SPFE bargaining contract participate in TD&E.

Does TD&E affect educator license renewal?

TD&E reflections can be utilized for certain relicensure components. Educators should reference information posted on the SPPS Relicensure website. Details about evaluations are not shared with the State of Minnesota so they will not affect license renewals. 

What does the Student Engagement survey entail?

Student engagement surveys provide an opportunity for learners to express perspectives on their learning experience. The five areas measured by the survey are Active, Safe, Respected, Challenged, and Supported. Learners are asked to self-identify their race/ethnicity on anonymous surveys, in order to provide opportunities for educators to have Courageous Conversations around engagement data. Guidance from the SPPS Office of Research, Evaluation and Assessment along with statistical standards from the National Center of Education Statistics were utilized when developing how to ask learners to self-identify their race/ethnicity.

Do learners have to identify their race and ethnicity on the Student Engagement survey?

If a learner chooses not to self-identify their race/ethnicity, they simply leave the question blank and complete the rest of the survey.  

How much time do the student engagement surveys take?

Surveys take approximately 15-20 minutes for learners to complete depending on grade level. Additional time will be needed for the educator to summarize, interpret, and reflect on the results. This will include a conversation in professional learning communities and an individual educator written reflection.

Are student survey responses private or public data?

The Teacher Tenure Act outlines the process for Development, Evaluation, and Peer Coaching in MN Statute 122A.41; Subd. 5. In paragraph 12 of this section, it states that "Data on individual teachers generated under this subdivision are personnel data under section 13.43". An employee's performance evaluation data is not public data as defined by this statute. Therefore, individual teacher data gathered as part of the evaluation process is considered private data including student engagement surveys and responses.

What is the Summative Evaluation component of TD&E?

The summative evaluation brings together all components of TD&E: Individualized Growth and Development Plan, Student Achievement, Student Engagement, Educator Practice, and Peer Collaboration. The summative evaluation occurs once every three years for tenured educators.