If you’re following the roll-out of the Massachusetts Educator Evaluation System, you already know that, in its current form, the system requires two forms of evidence– data gathered through observation and educator-submitted artifacts. In 2013-14, the Evaluation System requires that districts begin gathering student survey and student growth data. (Note: the use of these data in educator evaluation will require a return to the bargaining table.)

Student Growth Data   State regulations require the use of two measures of student growth for all teachers. Those educators currently teaching an MCAS or ACCESS-measured course are required to use one of those state assessments. Meeting this expectation will be especially challenging in untested subjects like art, music, and physical education. CES will lead a region-wide approach to building measures of student growth in these untested subjects. More guidance from the state about these new expectations can be found in Part VII of the state’s model system.

Student Surveys  These surveys may be electronically administered and apply to students in grades K-12. The regulations can be viewed here. Little guidance is available about how the survey results will be incorporated in the evaluation process; Kim Marshall proposes a reasonable strategy for doing so in a recent Education Leadership article (Note: full article access requires ASCD membership).