6 CAR § 181-104 – General provisions

(a) Under Arkansas Code § 6-17-2801 et seq., each educational entity shall implement the educator support, evaluation, and development provided in this part for all teachers and building-level or district-level leaders, as applicable, employed at the educational entity.
(b) The Department of Education will provide the following support to educational entities for implementing these systems:
1. (1)
  1. (A) Ongoing training to assist leaders with coaching and observation skill-building, some of which may be done in a virtual environment.
  2. (B) Districts should encourage their leadership to participate in this training so that observers and evaluators are able to effectively provide feedback and support.
  3. (C) Training schedules will be updated periodically and published on the department’s website and through Commissioner’s Memos; and
2. (2)
  1. (A) An electronic system for:
(i) Accessing the state-approved rubrics; and
1. (ii) Providing:
(a) (a) Observation feedback;
(b) (b) Coaching; and
1. (c) (c) Ratings.
  1. (B) An educational entity using the Teacher Excellence and Support System or L.E.A.D.S. shall use the electronic system provided by the department for:
    1. (i) Conducting a summative evaluation; and
    2. (ii) Assigning an overall performance rating following the summative evaluation.
  2. (C) Districts shall use the system for:
    1. (i) Transparency;
    2. (ii) Communicating with the educator being observed;
    3. (iii) Two-way conversations;
    4. (iv) Documentation; and
    5. (v) Scoring and rating accuracy.
    6. (c) An educational entity’s obligations under this part are not waived when a public school, charter school, or school district obtains a waiver granted by the State Board of Education from the laws and rules governing educator licensure:
2. (1) In the charter of a public charter school;
3. (2) Under Arkansas Code § 6-15-103; or
4. (3) Under Arkansas Code § 6-15-2801 et seq.
  1. (d) An educational entity that previously was approved to use a nationally recognized system of teacher evaluation and support that is substantially similar to the Teacher Excellence and Support System may continue to use that system by notifying the department annually that the educational entity intends to continue to use that system.
(e) An educational entity may opt out of using the Teacher Excellence and Support System or L.E.A.D.S. and use a locally adopted system for support, development, and appraisal of teacher and leader performance as part of a system of educator effectiveness that meets federal and state requirements by obtaining state board approval.
(f) An educational entity shall provide the data required under 6 CAR § 181-401.
(g) An educator’s failure to comply with this part may be reflected in the educator’s evaluation.
(h) Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 6-13-1305, the policy adopted by local school district boards of directors to implement site-based decision making shall address teacher evaluations, professional growth plans, and teacher support under the Teacher Excellence and Support System, Arkansas Code § 6-17-2801 et seq.
1. (i) Every teacher contract renewed or entered into is subject to and shall reference Arkansas Code § 6-17-2801 et seq.