An overview of the legal framework within which documentation of all Texas public school employees takes place.

In this important book, education expert Kim Marshall shows how to break away from the typical and often ineffective evaluation approaches in which principals use infrequent classroom visits or rely on standardized test scores to assess a teacher's performance. Marshall proposes a broader framework for supervision and evaluation that enlists teachers in improving the performance of all students. Emphasizing trust-building and teamwork, Marshall's innovative, four-part framework shifts the focus from periodically evaluating teaching to continuously analyzing learning. This book offers school principals a guide for implementing Marshall's framework and shows how to make frequent, informal classroom visits followed by candid feedback to each teacher; work with teacher teams to plan thoughtful curriculum units rather than focusing on individual lessons; get teachers as teams involved in low-stakes analysis of interim assessment results to fine-tune their teaching and help struggling students; and use compact rubrics for summative teacher evaluation. This vital resource also includes extensive tools and advice for managing time as well as ideas for using supervision and evaluation practices to foster teacher professional development.

The standard legal resource for Texas educators.

Let not your true purpose be defined by the organization, the system . . . or that you be defined by it! Understand the policies and laws that dictate what you should say or do within the boundaries of the system. Excel in the practices of your field, defining what and how you perform your art and how you shall be known! Seek out people of quality who provide guidance and truly care about your success. Yield to prayer , maintaining your faith in good and bad times even when things don't make sense, knowing your goal is to make a difference! Professional educators are now living in an era where there is increased concern about the quality of education in public schools in America. States are beginning to take a greater role in monitoring and maintaining higher academic standards. Communities across the country are scrutinizing the expense of public education. Local school districts are expressing concern about the district's ability to continue providing high-quality teaching and other related services with diminishing resources. Parents everywhere, regardless of ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or cultural family background want the assurance that their child will receive adequate and appropriate academic preparation that will lead to a productive livelihood for their child's future. The intended result of this book is to serve as a guide and inspiration to educators whether they serve in the capacity of a teacher, paraprofessional, or administrator as they continue their journey in the field of public education, especially during these most challenging times. America needs every person involved in the education of youth to remain steadfast. Each educator makes a difference in the lives of youth. America's youth need and are counting on you.