How was the rubric developed?

The principal steering committee that convened in the spring of 2014 (see #A.3) began the rubric development process by looking primarily at two sources. First, they reviewed literature and research that indicated the campus factors and principal practices that had the greatest effect on improving student performance. Second, they reviewed the Texas principal evaluation standards and examples of principal evaluation systems from other states. Finally, they reviewed and analyzed a base rubric that attempted to capture those practices in language that aligned with the new principal standards created during the fall of 2013 and currently in Chapter 149 of the Texas Administrative Code.

Over the course of several meetings throughout the spring, the committee revised and edited the evolving rubric so that it accurately articulated the appropriate progression of principal practices, differentiating performance across an ordinal scale from “developing” to “distinguished.” Equally important, they focused on making sure the rubric captured the context of Texas principals and allowed for enough flexibility in application so that all districts could use the rubric regardless of their size or location.