America's Teacher Evaluation Systems Post–Every Student Succeeds Act: A Descriptive Analysis and Overview

• In Event: The Implications of Testing Teachers and Students

Abstract

The Every Students Succeeds Act (ESSA) loosened the federal policy grip over states’ teacher accountability systems. We present information, collected via surveys sent to state department of education personnel, about all states’ teacher evaluation systems post ESSA, while also highlighting differences before and after ESSA. We found that states have decreased their use of growth or value-added models (VAMs) within their teacher evaluation systems. In addition, many states are offering more alternatives for measuring the relationships between student achievement and teacher effectiveness besides using test score growth. State teacher evaluation plans also contain more language supporting formative teacher feedback. Additionally, states are also allowing districts to develop and implement more unique teacher evaluation systems, while also acknowledging challenges with support.

Authors

• Kevin Close, The Spencer Foundation

• Audrey Amrein-Beardsley, Arizona State University

• Clarin Collins, Arizona State University