Teacher evaluation continues to reflect key improvements advocated by HSTA members
Posted: July 28, 2022
The Hawaii State Department of Education recently released an updated Educator Effectiveness System (EES) manual for the 2022–23 school year. The HIDOE published a memo outlining the changes on Tuesday, July 26.
Prior to the end of the 2021–22 school year, the EES Joint Committee — made up of representatives from the HIDOE and the Hawaii State Teachers Association — met virtually to review the components and existing practices for EES implementation. Through much discussion and collaboration, HSTA members successfully articulated concerns regarding teacher evaluation and how to continue to support teacher practice and student success.
The teacher team advocated for colleagues who continue to deal with issues that arose during or were amplified by the coronavirus pandemic, such as chronic cancellations of observations, supporting emergency hires, providing more time for adjustment into a new school year, and differentiating requirements in the Student Success Plan component.
The memo addresses a number of items that were settled upon, including:
- Restarting the five-year comprehensive evaluation cycle for tenured teachers.
- Evaluations of emergency hire teachers.
- The start date for evaluations.
- Artifacts of Instructions Practice (AIP) as an alternative to classroom observations.
- Scoring of the Student Success Plans.
- Availability of the electronic manual.
- Training expectations for the EES for the 2022–23 school year.
HSTA President Osa Tui, Jr. said, “We very much appreciate our dedicated and committed members of the EES Joint Committee for advocating and speaking on HSTA members’ behalf.”
The teacher leaders on the committee are: Diane Mokuau (Molokai Chapter), Ashley Olson (Maui Chapter), Logan Okita (Central Chapter), and Zachary Morita (Honolulu Chapter). UniServ Directors Beverly Ikalani (Windward/Central) and Ilima Long (Leeward) support the HSTA EES team.
If there are any concerns or questions, please contact your evaluator, the EES Help Desk, the EES lead for your complex, or reach out to your UniServ Director.
HIDOE’s EES Help Desk provides callers with knowledge, awareness, and understanding of the EES components. In addition, the Help Desk collects caller feedback to improve overall EES training and implementation planning. Please call (808) 586-4072, Mondays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., except state holidays and winter break.