Uncommon Measures: Using Peer Evaluation to Leverage Teacher Talent

In an effort to develop a balanced and valid system, states and districts increasingly have moved toward using multiple measures in educator evaluation. Certain measures, such as classroom observations and value-added models, are more commonly used or considered than others. To support innovation and build collective knowledge, this series provides guidance on alternative measures of teacher effectiveness and highlights district and state contexts where these methods are used.

This guidance document focuses on the use of teacher peer-evaluation as an alternative measure, including background information, information on its use in teacher evaluation systems, and recommendations, resources and references to support districts in their decision making and implementation of peer evaluation.