New Jersey approves McREL as provider for teacher evaluation pilot program

Denver —Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) has been approved by the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) to provide its Teacher Evaluation System to schools and districts across the state as part of the Excellent Educators for New Jersey (EE4NJ) Pilot Program.

Districts participating in the program, funded by a $1.1 million grant from the United States Department of Education, will adopt and implement standards-based educator evaluation systems focused on teacher practice and student performance. Districts are also required to provide comprehensive training to all of their educators.

McREL’s Teacher Evaluation System, which is aligned with InTASC Model Core Teaching Standards, measures teacher performance on behaviors that research has shown improve student learning. The tool serves as a "road map" for professional development and instructional coaching, helping districts identify effective teaching and areas of improvement.

As part of the pilot program, McREL, which created the research-based programs Classroom Instruction that Works®, Power Walkthrough®, and Balanced Leadership®, will provide professional development that helps districts identify and recognize effective teaching while supporting teachers who need to improve. New Jersey-based Educational Information and Resource Center (EIRC) is partnering with McREL to provide this support.

“We have known for decades that effective teaching is the key to high levels of student learning and achievement, but now we have systematic, research-based tools to assess effective classroom teaching and support teachers, principals, and students,” said McREL President and CEO Tim Waters. “We applaud New Jersey for taking the lead in finding the best, most innovative approach to teacher evaluation and look forward to continuing our long history of supporting New Jersey educators.”