Staff development is an integral part of professional life at Aliso School. Teachers are kept abreast of the most recent research in methods of effective teaching strategies, as well as becoming familiar with new curricular frameworks. During the evaluation year their teaching is observed and they are given feedback on teaching four times or more. Two formal evaluations are completed using observations and student data as a basis. Non-tenured teachers are formally evaluated each year until tenured.
Teachers have an opportunity to self-evaluate.
A rating scale of Needs Improvement, Satisfactory, and Outstanding is used. At the beginning of the year, each teacher conferences with the principal and discusses objectives to be met. This yearly instructional plan is written and filed with the principal. The plan includes curriculum to be taught, how it is to be taught, what strategies are to be used, plans for creating a positive learning environment and how the needs of the more accelerated students and the low-achieving students will be met. The principal assists the teacher in reaching the goals through observing, conferencing, and providing opportunities for the teacher to improve.