Pascack Valley Schools Adopt New Teacher Evaluation System

Pascack Valley Regional Schools are preparing to institute a new teacher evaluation system next year.

The Kim Marshall Evaluation System, named after its creator, is "a reflective way of looking at teachers," according to district Director of Curriculum Barry Bachenheimer.

A new state law requires all districts to begin using new state-approved principal and teacher evaluation practices by next school year.

Other districts have purchased systems that cost $90,000 or more, according to Board of Education Vice President Alfred Murphy. The Kim Marshall system, which Pascack Valley is using in conjunction with several other area school districts, will have only a "minimal cost," according to Bachenheimer.

In the system, teachers are observed by their department supervisor or a building administrator at least once per month for about 15 minutes. They then hold a meeting to give feedback to the teacher, allowing educators to make improvements as needed throughout the year.

The district has already been testing the system with their science and social studies departments. Teachers have had more communication with their supervisors and each other as a result, according to Aarti Mallya, the science supervisor.

"There has been an overwhelmingly positive response," Mallya said.

Teachers will fill out self-assessments at the beginning of each year to outline their goals for student progress. They will then undergo a mid-year evaluation to check their progress, and then check again at the end of the year.

"It's a very productive, reflective model focusing on teacher growth," social studies supervisor Joe Orlak said.

Board President Bertram Siegel said he was happy with the new system because of both the low cost and the amount of feedback teachers will receive.

"The board wants our teachers to receive productive evaluations," Siegel said.

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