From: Myers, Paula

To: Correspondence
Subject: FW: Letter from Assistant Secretary Delisle re: Teacher and Leader Evaluation and Support Systems
Date: Friday, May 09, 2014 10:16:22 AM
Forwarding

From: Honeysett, Adam [mailto:Adam.Honeysett@ed.gov]
Sent: Friday, May 09, 2014 10:00 AM
Subject: Letter from Assistant Secretary Delisle re: Teacher and Leader Evaluation and Support Systems

Dear Chief State School Officer,

Teacher and leader evaluation and support systems are a critical component of State-led
reform efforts and can recognize excellent teachers and provide helpful feedback from
multiple measures that educators could use to put every student on the path to success. You
have demonstrated tremendous leadership on behalf of your students by moving forward on
this work, and we will continue to look for ways to recognize and reward these efforts. At the
same time, we recognize that some States also need to make targeted adjustments as they
fully implement these systems, while not stopping progress or retreating on the goal of fully
implementing teacher and leader evaluation and support systems.

The Department is always trying to improve the processes by which we interact with States in
the important and complex work that you each undertake every day. In the coming days my
team and I will be engaging in conversations with you about the work you have undertaken in
the area of teacher and leader evaluation and support systems. Our goal is to secure your
input on how the Department can best support the work you are doing to fully implement
these systems. For states that have moved forward on fully implementing educator evaluation
and support systems, we are interested in input from you and your teams to identify any
additional flexibilities or ways the Department can further support your work and your
leadership.

Additionally, the Department is committed to keeping the ESEA flexibility extension process
moving smoothly and making timely decisions about extension requests while we seek your
input. As a result, for States that have the authority to ensure that all districts implement
teacher and principal evaluation and support systems that meet ESEA flexibility
requirements, but are proposing targeted substantive changes to their implementation plans
for Principle 3 of ESEA flexibility (teacher and principal evaluation and support systems), the
Department will make extension decisions based on their submissions for Principles 1 and 2
and will review Principle 3 amendments separately. For States with extension requests that
include no changes or only technical changes to Principle 3, the Department will review their
requests in their entirety across all three principles.

We look forward to hearing your thoughts on ways for us to meet our ultimate goal of
ensuring that all teachers and principals receive robust, timely, and constructive information
and support that informs instruction for students. The Council of Chief State School Officers
(CCSSO) will be working with you and your staff to set up calls to help the Department
gather your input.

Thanks for your continued focus on enhancing instruction for all students. My team and I
look forward to speaking with you soon and welcome your specific ideas. Thanks for all you
do to assist students and to support educators in their work.

Sincerely,

Deborah S. Delisle
Assistant Secretary

cc: Council of Chief State School Officers