Questar III’s annual professional performance review (APPR) plans with its teachers association and principals were recently approved by the New York State Education Department.
District Superintendent James N. Baldwin said the evaluation process presents a learning opportunity to look at Questar III instructional practices individually, collectively and across the various programs with a focus on achievement and continuous professional growth.
“Teachers are the number one influence on student success in our schools and great school leaders are not far behind them. As we implement our plan I look forward to working with our teachers and principals with the same spirit of collegiality and cooperation that has been evident throughout the APPR development and approval process.”
Creating a statewide evaluation system linked to student performance was mandated by a law (Education Law section 3012-c) passed as part of New York’s successful Race to the Top application.
While Questar III teachers and principals have always been evaluated annually, the new requirements tie a portion of the teacher evaluation directly to student performance on state exams or other state-approved learning measures.
The APPR requirement is one of a number of statewide initiatives to improve student performance and assure that all students graduate from high school both college and career ready. Other initiatives include New York’s participation in the Common Core Standards, adoption of new teaching standards, and application of leadership standards for principals.
To view Questar III’s approved Teacher and Principal APPR plans, which cover the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 school years, please visit the State Education Department’s website at http://usny.nysed.gov/rttt/teachers-leaders/plans/home.html#q.
