Instructional leadership and professional development are some of the most important components towards enhancing the effectiveness of teachers with regards to learning outcomes and achievement of the required educational standards. This is primarily because instructional leadership and professional development are focused on student learning and achievement. School districts are increasingly recognizing the need to promote instructional leadership and professional development of educators in order to enhance student learning and achievement. Paterson Public School considers instructional leadership and professional development as the basic vehicles for generating the desired change in teaching practice, which in turn helps in enhancing learning outcomes and student achievement. As a result, the school utilizes several measures for conducting needs assessment in relation to instructional leadership and professional development. This paper examines the evaluation instruments utilized by Paterson Public School for needs assessment on instructional leadership and professional development.

Evaluation Instruments at Paterson Public School

Paterson Public School is one of New Jersey’s most diverse school districts whose main aim is to educate youth in the region. This school district is managed by the New Jersey Department of Education, which helps in ensuring that teaching practice is designed in a manner that helps in meeting the diverse needs of students. The management of Paterson Public School has entailed promoting instructional leadership and professional development of educators in this school district. Based on a publication by Paterson Public School (2015), the school has engaged in major initiatives to enhance student achievement in elementary and secondary levels since 2009. These efforts have involved establishment of measures for promoting instructional leadership and professional development.

Instructional leadership and professional development measures in this school are centered on instructional initiatives, school-determined areas of need, and the objectives established... However, the determination of these measures entail conducting a needs assessment that help in identification of areas requiring improvement. Needs assessment entail the use of different evaluation instruments for promoting instructional leadership/professional development. This evaluation is carried out in a collaborative manner and geared towards promoting excellence among teachers and school administrators in order to have positive impacts on students (Paterson Public Schools, 2018). Moreover, this process focuses on ensuring continual improvement based on established/desired objectives and expectations.
One of the evaluation instruments utilized by the school to conduct needs assessment for instructional leadership and professional development is Focal Point’s Teacher Performance Evaluation Rubric. This instrument is utilized in needs assessment of principles and teachers as part of the New Jersey’s Department of Education efforts to improve teaching practice and student achievement. Secondly, the school utilizes teacher and principal evaluation tools that are approved by the state’s Department of Education. These evaluation instruments are adopted as part of AchieveNJ, which focuses on promoting the growth and development of great teachers or educators. The instruments help in the achievement of this goal through evaluating educator practice with respect to its alignment to the state’s professional standards. Some of the state-approved evaluation instruments for needs assessment for instructional leadership and professional development include Teacher Evaluation and Improvement Instrument, The Thoughtful Classroom Teacher Effectiveness Framework, Principal Evaluation and Improvement Instrument, and New Leaders Principal Evaluation Rubric.

Similarities between Evaluation Instruments

While there are different evaluation instruments utilized by Paterson Public School for needs assessment for instructional leadership and professional development, there are some similarities between…