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Board approves new educator and leader evaluation plan
Summary
After a presentation on major changes, the board approved a redesigned educator and leader evaluation and support plan that emphasizes professional learning communities, monthly walkthroughs and tiered support instead of 1–4 ratings.
The Middletown Board of Education voted to approve the district's 2024–25 educator and leader evaluation and support plan (ESP) after a presentation by Paul Griswald, the district's director of assessment, professional development and instruction.
Griswald told the board that Connecticut updated its state guidance in 2023 and that Middletown's ESP is aligned to the new guidelines. He summarized the key shifts: collective PLC-centered goal setting (monthly PLC meetings during contractual time), a move away from a numeric 1–4 end-of-year rating toward evidence of continuous professional learning, monthly walk-throughs and feedback, and a tiered support system (tier 1 universal supports, tier 2 targeted assistance, tier 3 intensive support and corrective action if needed).
The plan requires PLCs to set priority practices and for individual educators to set personal goals tied to their PLC's collective goal; goal setting is scheduled to be completed by Oct. 15. Griswald said the district has been piloting elements of the system, has submitted the plan to the state for technical feedback and expects final confirmation from the Connecticut State Department of Education.
Board members asked procedural questions about state approval timelines and the number of PLC meetings; Griswald said groups may meet more frequently than the monthly minimum if they choose. After discussion, a motion to approve the ESP was moved, seconded and approved by the board.
Administrators said the ESP is intended to support continuous improvement rather than to be punitive and that the plan includes a dispute resolution process involving bargaining units if disagreements arise. The board recorded the approval in the meeting minutes and thanked staff for the work on the plan.
