Overview of Certified Employee Evaluations

In Colorado, principals and teachers are evaluated with the ultimate goal of continuously supporting educators' professional growth and, in turn, accelerating student results.

The evaluation requirements include opportunities for reflection, review, professional development, and growth. Statute requirements include:

• Annual evaluations for all teachers and principals
• Evaluation based on statewide Quality Standards defining what it means to be an effective teacher or principal; the professional practice Quality Standards account for half of an educator's annual evaluation
• The other half of an educator's annual evaluation is based on the Quality Standard that measures student learning over time
• Non-probationary status (tenure) is earned after three consecutive years of demonstrated effectiveness
• Non-probationary status is lost after two consecutive years of ineffective ratings

Passed in Colorado in 2022, Senate Bill 22-070, the Kindergarten through Twelfth Grade Licensed Personnel Performance Evaluations Act, updates and refines existing areas of educator evaluations that were first adopted in Senate Bill 10-191 in 2010. Implementation of this statute, Senate Bill 22-070 will occur in the 2023-24 school year.     

For the 2023-2024 school year, S.B. 22-070 directs the following to be implemented:

• Update to the composition of final effectiveness ratings (FERs) from 50:50 to 70:30, professional practices and MSL/MSO respectively
• Refinements/updates to MSLs/MSOs
• Development of a Highly Effective evaluation pathway
• Development of new rubrics for specific educator roles
• Development of required training for evaluators
• Adjustment to timing for reporting of FERs