By Emily Zuccaro, with Kathryn Whitmore

A new state-mandated teacher evaluation is becoming a time-consuming process this year, as many teachers and principals are finding
themselves spending more time on entering data gathered from observations.

The system, known as the Professional Growth and Effectiveness System, is meant to serve as a unifying measure for 172 school districts in Kentucky. Previous to 2014, each school district had their own state-approved evaluation system. The new system requires peer observations and a state-wide database for information from evaluations and observations.

The program is still facing technical difficulties, as some data will not save, or the database will kick teachers off before the data is entered. Some administrators express a concern, wary that all the time spent entering data will not lead to student achievement and teacher growth and development. Others believe the time spent will result in better teacher training and more reflective practices inside the schools.

The Kentucky Board of Education is meeting to discuss changes in the system to make it easier on teachers and administrators, as well as working with Pearson Education’s software department to work out any technical challenges an individual may face as they enter data.