FAQs: Educator Evaluations

The primary goal in Educator Effectiveness is to provide meaningful feedback that enables educators to continually grow as professionals.  To provide clarification, the following FAQs are provided by the Educator Effectiveness Office.

Please contact your Educator Effectiveness Regional Specialist or email [email protected] with any direct questions and/or requests for support.

FAQs: Implications of New Legislation (SB22-069 and SB22-070)

Q. What does SB22-069 mean for educator evaluations for the 2021-22 school year?

A. Section 22-9-106(9)(a)(II) prohibits the use of measures of student academic growth derived from the Colorado growth model in determining evaluation ratings for licensed personnel for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years. SB 22-069 enacted this change in law. The legislature passed the bill on May 16th, 2022 and the law was effective on May 25th, 2022.

The timing of the law's enactment has raised questions because statute requires that teachers receive their written evaluation reports "at least two weeks before the last class day of the school year," per section 22-9-106(1)(c)(I)&(II). Final effectiveness ratings for educators were completed and shared for the 2021-22 school year before the law took effect. SB22-069 does not contain clear legislative intent of retroactivity or intent for districts to redo licensed personnel evaluations that were completed before the law's enactment. For any educator's final effectiveness ratings that were not completed and shared with educators prior to May 25th, 2022, the date when SB22-069 took effect, compliance with the requirements in section 22-9-106(9)(a)(II) would be expected.

If additional questions exist beyond this guidance, school districts and BOCES should work with their legal counsel to evaluate SB22-069's implications on their licensed personnel evaluations for the 2021-22 school year.

Q. What does SB22-069 mean for educator evaluations for the 2022-23 school year?

A. For the 2022-23 school year, the use of student growth from the Colorado Growth Model or district/school performance frameworks may not be used as a part of licensed personnel's Measure of Student Learning/Outcome (MSL/MSO). All other aspects of the system will remain the same. All licensed personnel are still required to be evaluated annually, which includes generating a final effectiveness rating consisting of 50% Measures of Student Learning/Outcomes (MSLs/MSOs) and 50% Professional Practices (Quality Standards).

Q. Are collective measures still required within MSLs for the 2022-23 school year?

A. Yes. When creating MSLs for teachers for the 2022-23 school year, the requirement for a collectively attributed student growth measure remains in effect, 1 CCR 301-87, Rule 5.01(D)(7)(b). Collective measures are student results on a measure that is attributed to more than one licensed person. This means two or more educators—for example a teaching team, a PLC, a content team, or a school.

Significant flexibility exists for districts when creating their MSLs. Districts are encouraged to work with their Advisory Personnel Performance Evaluation Council (1338) when determining the weights and measures included in their MSL/Os for the 2022-23 school year. For additional information regarding available flexibilities with MSLs/MSOs, districts can explore the Maximizing Measures of Student Learning and Outcomes webpages or contact their Educator Effectiveness Regional Specialist.

Q. Is the use of spring 2022 CMAS data prohibited from being used in the MSL/Os for the 2022-23 school year?

A. Section 22-9-106(9)(a)(iii) prohibits including measures of student academic growth derived from the Colorado Growth Model for the 2022-23 school year. Colorado Growth Model data is not available for the 2022-23 school year. As a result, CDE views the question of whether section 22-9-106(9)(a)(iii) prohibits inclusion of any 2022 CMAS data as part of the MSL/O calculations for the 2022-23 school year as inconclusive. School districts should work with their legal counsel to determine whether inclusion of CMAS data as part of the MSL/O calculation in evaluations for the 2022-23 school year is appropriate. Districts are encouraged to work with their Advisory Personnel Performance Evaluation Council (1338) when determining the weights and measures included in their MSL/Os for the 2022-23 school year.

Q. What assessment data is available for use in MSL/Os for the 2022-23 school year?

A. Consider local and vendor-based assessments when determining MSLs for the 2022-23 school year. These may include, and are not limited to, NWEA, ACCESS, DIBELS, and classroom-based assessments. Additional suggestions and considerations, along with highlights of the flexibility within the state system for selected measures to be included in MSL/Os can be found on the Selecting Measures webpage. For support in the creation of MSL/Os for the 2022-23 school year, please contact your EE Regional Specialist.

Q. Does SB22-069 prohibit the use of any growth data within MSLs for the 2022-23 school year?

A. No. SB22-069 stipulates that evaluation ratings for licensed personnel must not include measures of student academic growth derived from the Colorado Growth Model. Districts may use student growth data from local assessments (either vendor or classroom based).

Q. What does SB22-070 mean for educator evaluations for the 2021-22 school year?

A. SB22-070 has no impact on educator evaluations for the 2021-22 school year. SB22-070 addresses evaluations completed for the 2023-24 school year and each school year after that.

Q. What does SB22-070 mean for educator evaluations for the 2022-23 school year?

A. SB22-070 has no impact on educator evaluations for the 2022-23 school year. This legislation allows refinements and updates of current law regarding educator evaluation to be developed in the 2022-23 school year and implementation at the local level does not begin until the 2023-24 school year. Much more information, as well as opportunities for stakeholder input regarding implementation and rule, will be provided in the coming months.

Q. What resources and supports are available to districts and BOCES for effective implementation of educator evaluations?

A. Your Educator Effectiveness Regional Specialist is available to work with you and provide support as needed. In addition, the following resources are currently available:

General FAQs: Educator Evaluations

Q. Are educator evaluations required for the 2022-23 school year?

A. Yes. Required components of educator effectiveness (as outlined in state statute and State Board rules) are in effect for the 2022-23 school year. For the 2022-23 school year, the use of student growth from the Colorado Growth Model or district/school performance frameworks may not be used as a part of licensed personnel's Measure of Student Learning/Outcome (MSL/MSO). All other aspects of the system will remain the same. Additional information regarding Educator Effectiveness requirements, guidance, and considerations for 2022-23 can be found on the Educator Effectiveness: The 2022-23 Evaluation Cycle webpage. EE Regional Specialists are also available for assistance.

Q. Is the Colorado Performance Management System (COPMS) in RANDA available for the 2022-23 school year?

A. Yes. The COPMS (RANDA) is available for districts/BOCES using the system to work on and track all aspects (professional practices and MSL/Os) of evaluations for educators during the 2022-23 school year. Districts and BOCES can enable the new year after updating staffing changes in IdM starting Monday, July 18th. Additional questions regarding the COPMS can be sent via email to [email protected] or [email protected].

Q. Are measures of student learning/outcomes (MSL/Os) included in educator evaluations for the 2022-23 school year?

A. Yes. The inclusion of MSL/Os in evaluations for all licensed educators is required for the 2022-23 school year. Information and supports can be found within the Measures of Student Learning/Outcomes for 2022-23 webpage. Your EE Regional Specialist is also available to provide side-by-side support and resources as needed.

Q. How will districts/BOCES create the required MSL/O portion of their educator evaluations without Colorado Growth Model data or school/district performance frameworks?

A. The absence of Colorado Growth Model data, or data from school or district performance frameworks should not prohibit the creation of robust and meaningful MSL/Os. Consider local and vendor-based assessments when determining MSLs for the 2022-23 school year. These may include, and are not limited to, NWEA, ACCESS, DIBELS, and classroom-based assessments. For support in the creation of MSL/Os for the 2022-23 school year, please contact your EE Regional Specialist.

Q. What assessment data is available for use in the MSL/Os for 2022-23?

A. Consider local and vendor-based assessments when determining MSLs for the 2022-23 school year. These may include, and are not limited to, NWEA, ACCESS, DIBELS, and classroom-based assessments. Additional suggestions and considerations, along with highlights of the flexibility within the state system for selecting measures to be included in MSL/Os can be found on the Selecting Measures webpage, as well as within the webinars focused on MSLs/Os. For support in the creation of MSL/Os for the 2021-22 school year, please contact your EE Regional Specialist.

Q. Are districts/BOCES required to complete Educator Effectiveness (EE) Assurances for the 2022-23 school year?

A. Yes. The collection process for EE Assurances is now open. Detailed guidance for the 2022-23 submission process can be found on the Assurances for Educator Evaluation Systems webpage. Please contact your EE Regional Specialist for additional information/support when completing your 2022-23 EE Assurances.

Q. Are there any changes to the Educator Effectiveness Assurances for 2022-23?

A. No. The EE Assurances process and questions are the same as they were for the 2021-22 school year. Detailed guidance for the 2022-23 submission process can be found on the Assurances for Educator Evaluation Systems webpage. Please contact your EE Regional Specialist for additional information/support when completing your EE Assurances.

Q. What resources and supports are available to districts and BOCES for effective implementation of educator evaluations?

A. Your Educator Effectiveness Regional Specialist is available to work with you and provide support as needed. In addition, the following resources are currently available:

EE Regional Specialists

MSL/O Guidance

Local Flexibility for Educator Evaluation

NOTE: This page will be updated periodically, and additional information, guidance, and resources/supports will be added as they become available. Please check back regularly and contact your EE Regional Specialist or email [email protected] with any direct questions and/or requests for support.