Weeks 1–4

Ongoing

Teacher Recruitment

During this time period, the moderator reaches out to all teachers in the school or district. The moderator works with their schedules, determines a calendar that provides enough time for ample discussion, and shares with teachers this plan for using their insight.

Week 5 or 6

1 hour

“Taking the Temperature”
Part 1: Consensogram
Activity and “Taking the
Temperature” Part 2:
Viewing the Foundations
of Evaluation PowerPoint presentation

These preliminary activities introduce the concept of engagement to participating teachers and determine their starting points in their knowledge and awareness of teacher evaluation.

Week 6 or 7

2 hours

Focus Group Facilitation
Activity (which includes
viewing the Engaging
Teachers in Evaluation Reform video)

These activities present three different scenarios for teacher evaluation. Each scenario contains different elements in different combinations, none of which is fully right or wrong. This approach provides a starting point for conversations about what an effective evaluation system might look like in your school or district. Teachers will work to build consensus, though it is okay if not everyone agrees and no final consensus is met.

1–4 weeks later

45 minutes

Carousel Brainstorming Activity

This activity, in which teachers split off into small groups to discuss posted questions, will generate large numbers of responses to questions or issues that teachers have about evaluation reform.

1–4 weeks later

75–90 minutes

Interview Activity

In this multistep activity, each participant collects information about teacher evaluation by interviewing at least four other teacher participants.

1–4 weeks later

45–90 minutes

Storyboarding Activity

Individuals respond to a specific question about teacher reform in small groups of three or four. This activity facilitates sharing and organizing very concrete and practical ideas about teacher evaluation and is a good way to build consensus.

1–4 weeks later

45–90 minutes

Additional Resources and Jigsaw Activity

This activity brings research-based findings to the table as teachers weigh in on the ideal evaluation system. Using a “divide and conquer” approach, teachers read different resources prior to the meeting and bring the key takeaways to the rest of the group in two-person and small groups and then with the entire group.

1–4 weeks later

45–60 minutes

Build Your Own Evaluation: Meeting 1

Drawing on the scenarios from the Focus Group Facilitation Activity as a template, participating teachers reach consensus about which features should be included in the evaluation plan for your school or district. The results are compiled in Build Your Own Evaluation—Group Handout 1 and Build Your Own Evaluation—Group Handout 2.

1–4 weeks later

45–60 minutes

Build Your Own Evaluation: Meeting 2

The moderator brings printed copies of the Build Your Own Evaluation—Group Handout 2 and shares it with the whole group. Additional teachers may be invited to this meeting. For further clarification, the group may wish to complete Build Your Own Evaluation—Group Handout 3. Based on these reactions, the moderator makes any necessary modifications before sharing the “ideal” evaluation system with the task force or committee or other leaders in the reform.