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Teacher Quality

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A highly competent teacher workforce is a critical foundation for continually improving children's educational outcomes. The Teacher Quality page represents Iowa's efforts for attracting, supporting and retaining a diverse workforce of teachers to develop greater mastery and leadership in their classrooms.

Iowa Model Educator Evaluation System

The Iowa Model Educator Evaluation System should be understood as an ongoing process rather than a single event. Gathering evidence related to the professional educator standards, reflecting on an educator’s practice, collaborating with colleagues to improve practice and student learning, and providing and using feedback are attributes of continuous improvement in a quality educator evaluation system.

Iowa Model Educator Evaluation System User Guide – The guide is divided into three main sections: Teacher Evaluation, Teacher Evaluation-Area Education Agencies, and School Administrator Evaluation. Each section contains the appropriate professional standards and other resources. For example, the teacher evaluation system provides a table of model descriptors and evidence pertaining to each Iowa Teaching Standards and Criteria, a description of the 3-Tiered Teacher Evaluation Framework, an explanation of the Individual Educator Professional Development Plan, and a clarification of practitioner collaboration and peer review. The guide also includes an appendix of sample and required forms related to observations, comprehensive/summative evaluations, individual professional development plans, intensive assistance, school counselor evaluations, etc. Finally, the User Guide contains a glossary to promote a common language in educator evaluation. Updates to the guide will be done annually and communicated to the field via the School Leaders Update and this webpage.

Iowa Teaching Standards and Criteria

The Iowa Teaching Standards and Criteria are the very foundation of Iowa's teacher quality efforts. The teaching standards and criteria represent a set of knowledge, skills and dispositions that reflects the best evidence available regarding quality teaching. They are linked to teacher professional development plans and the teacher evaluation system.

Iowa Teaching Standards and Criteria

Iowa Teaching Standards with AEA Criteria

Mentoring and Induction for Beginning Educators

The Department is committed to ensuring a successful entry into the profession for all new teachers and to helping Iowa's schools navigate the legislative requirements to offer high-quality mentoring and induction supports.

Iowa Professional Development Model

Well-designed and implemented professional development should be considered an essential component of a comprehensive system of teaching and learning that supports educators as they work with students to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies they need to thrive in the 21st century.

Teacher Quality Committee

Teacher Quality Committee Guidance - Provides guidance to questions regarding the Teacher Quality Committee.