Downloadable Resources and Related Links

Educator Evaluation Best Practices Timeline

This timeline provides a guide for districts/BOCES to consider key aspects and junctures of educator evaluation throughout the school year. It can serve as a preparation tool prior to the start of the school year, and/or a reference guide to utilize throughout the year to ensure equitable and high-quality evaluations are taking place.

Values Activity Guide

This activity facilitation guide provides an opportunity to explore district values and to align those values with local systems related to educator effectiveness. By engaging in the values activities and subsequent discussions, participants can reflect on all aspects of the educator evaluation system, including the system as a whole, weighting of professional practices, measures of student learning/outcomes (MSLs/MSOs), and practices to ensure fair and effective evaluations.

2025-26 Orientation Slide Deck

This annually updated PowerPoint provides schools, districts, and BOCES with information to share with staff regarding educator evaluation. The slide deck is a skeleton which is intended to be edited to include specific information for each local district/BOCES.

State Model User's Guide

The State Model Evaluation System User's Guide is an extensive, detailed document intended to be utilized by districts/BOCES and their staff to gain a better understanding of the State Model Evaluation System and the corresponding rubrics. NOTE: This guide contains dated information and does NOT include the update to statutory requirements per Senate Bill 22-070, e.g., the shift in composition in the final effectiveness rating from 50:50 to 70:30, professional practices and measures of student learning/outcomes respectively.

Resource Guide

Resource Guide Excerpt: Planning and Coaching Questions

This guide is meant to support Colorado school district employees, administrators and teachers in developing an understanding of the Colorado State Model Evaluation System Teacher Rubric. It is extensive and detailed, and Quality Standards/Elements can be individually accessed to gain insight around particular aspects of the teacher rubric.

Throughout the development, pilot testing and validation study of the Colorado State Model Evaluation System, groups of teachers and their evaluators with unique roles and responsibilities expressed concerns that the teacher materials didn't provide adequate guidance. They requested additional guidance regarding evidence/artifacts that may be used by such specialized teachers. In addition, they asked about specific practices to “look-for” to guide their classroom observations and help ensure that all licensed teachers receive fair, valid and reliable evaluations.

In response, CDE initiated the development of a set of guides written by practitioners for practitioners. They are intended to provide informal advice to teachers and their evaluators to help them understand the evaluation process within their specific context and offer a guide for how to evaluate licensed personnel (H.E.L.P.).

• Practical Ideas for Evaluating Teachers of the Arts-Visual Arts
• Practical Ideas for Evaluating Teachers of the Arts-Music
• Practical Ideas for Evaluating Teachers of the Arts-Drama & Theatre Arts
• Practical Ideas for Evaluating Teachers of the Arts-Dance
• Practical Ideas for Evaluating Comprehensive Health Education Teachers
• Practical Ideas for Evaluating Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education Specialists
• Practical Ideas for Evaluating Early Childhood Educators
• Practical Ideas for Evaluating General Education Teachers of Bilingual Learners
• Practical Ideas for Evaluating Physical Education Teachers
• Practical Ideas for Evaluating Special Education Teachers
• Practical Ideas for Evaluating Teacher Librarians
• Practical Ideas for Evaluating Teachers of World Languages

Guidance for Evaluating Unique Roles

This document provides high level guidance for districts regarding how to evaluate individuals serving in a dual or specialized role. This is not a fully comprehensive document, rather, offers ideas and points of consideration for districts as they identify and implement educator evaluation.

Maximizing the Mid-Year Review

Prior to the second semester, the educator being evaluated and the evaluator should review progress to date toward achieving professional goals and Measures of Student Learning/Outcomes (MSLs/MSOs). This content provides insight into how evaluators can maximize this conversation to set their educators up for success in the spring semester.

Flexibilities and Differentiation Webpages

Not all districts/BOCES are aware of the many decisions around educator evaluation that are able to be made at the local level. Find a broad range of resources and guidance related to differentiating an evaluation system based on local values, including district examples and best practices to encourage reflection around local decision-making.

Educator Effectiveness Teacher Video Library

This library contains Colorado educators teaching lessons to students throughout the state. It is intended to provide educators and evaluators with a way to view Colorado teachers and spark conversations developing a deeper understanding of quality instructional practices and better calibration of instructional expectations. A variety of content areas, grade levels and quality of instructional practice are available for viewing.