Plan Implementation
(Observation Cycle)

The evaluation cycle is a year-long process with multiple components. At the beginning of the school year, the educator receives a complete set of materials that includes the Teacher Performance Standards. The educator and evaluator meet to establish expectations and consider goals.  They discuss the evaluation process together (including observations/visits, review of the evidence, etc.) and review the NEPF Teacher Performance Standards. The purpose of this review is to develop and deepen a shared understanding of the Standards in practice and to ensure the educator is familiar with the steps of the evaluation cycle.  

Plan Implementation - Observations, Conferences, and Review of Evidence 

The third step of the evaluation cycle is implementing the plan. For the duration of the cycle, the educator pursues the attainment of high-level performance on all Standards and monitors progress on his/her goals (SLG and PPG). The evaluator provides feedback for improvement, ensures timely access to planned supports, and reviews evidence on educator performance. A single evidence source can be used to support evidence of performance on multiple Standards. Additionally, the educator may choose to collect evidence for review throughout the cycle but should not create artifacts specifically for the evidence review. Educators should use documents that occur as part of everyday practice. The observation cycle provides a foundation for dialogue, collaboration, and action. The educator and evaluator use the Pre/Post-Observation Conference Tool, the the NEPF Performance Standards, and student data to develop a shared understanding of effective practice, guide ongoing reflection, monitor student performance, and determine evidence to review.

Evidence Review:

• The evaluator reviews evidence and other relevant data to demonstrate performance on the NEPF Standards using the Observation/Evidence Review Tool, aligning observation data to corresponding NEPF Standards and Indicators. 

• The evaluator reviews preliminary SLG data to monitor educator progress on the SLG/PPG and to provide guidance and/or supports as needed.

• In addition to the NEPF frameworks, a variety of additional resources have been created to help educators identify potential evidence sources:  

  • • Digital and Blended Learning Examples-In-Practice 

    • Teacher Performance Standards: Examples in Action

    • School Administrator Performance Standards: Examples in Action

Observation and Conference Process:

• • For scheduled observations only, the educator and evaluator use the Pre/Post-Observation Conference Tool to discuss the upcoming observation. NOTE: The questions on the tool are a guide, and all questions are not required for every observation.

  • The evaluator conducts the observation. Using the Observation/Evidence Review Tool, the evaluator records evidence observed during the scheduled or unscheduled observation and identifies corresponding Standards.  Observations are NOT scored.

  • The educator and evaluator use the Pre/Post-Observation Conference Tool to discuss the observation, provide feedback, and identify professional learning needs.

Observation Cycle: The observation cycle consists of a pre-observation conference with the educator and the evaluator, an observation based on the Standards, and a post-observation conference. The pre- and post-observation conferences include guiding questions and potential evidence review, as requested by the evaluator.

Pre-Observation Conferences: Each scheduled observation is preceded by a pre-observation conference. This provides the educator an opportunity to discuss needs and evidence for the strategies used. It is also recommended that the educator being evaluated leads these discussions and provides the rationale for the basis of his/her instructional practices. It is essential that both the educator and evaluator participate in professional learning experiences that ensure they are adequately prepared for participating in this type of discussion.

Observations: “Scheduled” (announced) observations are those observations for which prior notice is given AND a pre-observation conference has been held. The minimum number of scheduled observations that must be conducted by the supervising administrator is differentiated according to experience and performance as outlined in the Differentiated Observation Cycle (above). For educators, each scheduled classroom observation, as one component of the educator evaluation, needs to be conducted for a minimum of twenty minutes. Observations may be conducted by other authorized personnel.

“Unscheduled” observations follow the same procedure as scheduled observations, with the exception of the requirements for a Pre-Observation Conference and the minimum twenty-minute duration for educators. Unscheduled observations may be conducted throughout the year at the discretion of the evaluator, with no minimum or maximum. Best practices suggest more frequent observations paired with brief reflective conferences support a greater improvement of instruction.

Frequent observations provide invaluable insight into the educator’s performance. These offer critical opportunities for evaluators to observe, review evidence, and analyze the educator’s practice. Observations should be both scheduled and unscheduled. The evaluator uses the Observation/Evidence Review Tool to document the reviewing of evidence for both types of observations. Observations should NOT be scored as ratings should only be assigned after multiple observations are conducted to assess levels of performance.

Post-Observation Conferences: Following all observations, the post-observation conference should be a joint discussion between the educator and evaluator. This is a time during which the evaluator provides explicit feedback on performance and identifies and discusses professional learning needs.  Post-observation conferences for scheduled and unscheduled observations within an observation cycle can be combined into a single meeting, regardless of the length of time between the observations, but it is recommended that a post-observation conference should be conducted no later than a week after the observation to provide the educator with timely, constructive feedback.

Based on observations and evidence, if an educator’s performance is likely to be rated ineffective or developing, the evaluator uses the Educator Assistance Plan Tool to develop and implement an assistance plan pursuant to NRS 391.695 and/or 391.715. Early support is best; therefore, this tool should be used to provide assistance to educators at any time during the evaluation cycle.

It should be noted that one of a school administrator's primary responsibilities is to serve as an instructional leader on campus. This is reflected in the Nevada Educator Performance Framework for School Administrators and two of the Instructional Leadership Standards descriptors are explicitly aligned to the NEPF observation cycle:

1.3  - Administrator structures opportunities to engage teachers in reflecting on their practice and taking improvement actions to benefit student learning and support professional growth.

2.2 - Administrator supports teacher development through quality observation, feedback, coaching, and professional learning structures.