Web-Based Support for Teacher Evaluation and Professional Growth: The Professional Assessment and Comprehensive Evaluation System (PACES)

Abstract

This article describes the recent development, implementation, and web-based support for a new comprehensive system designed for the annual evaluation and professional growth of all teachers in the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS), Miami, Florida. The Professional Assessment and Comprehensive Evaluation System (PACES) has been designed to meet new legislative mandates in Florida for approval of district teacher evaluation procedures and mandates that require all teachers and school support/resource personnel (e.g., school counselors, library/media specialists, school psychologists) to develop and implement an annual professional development plan that targets student outcomes. The PACES has also been developed to embrace newer philosophies of professional teaching practice and prominent theories of teaching and learning. Included in the article is an overview of the PACES and a description of current and developing web-based supports for the total PACES effort in M-DCPS. These supports were designed to: (a) enhance the learning of teachers, administrators, and other educators; (b) maintain updated information about program policies and procedures; (c) prepare members of PACES Professional Growth Teams (mentor teachers); (d) provide technology-based supports for the ongoing professional development of teachers, administrators, and other educators; (e) increase the efficiency of collecting and processing information from PACES evaluations and professional growth activities; and (f) facilitate the development of a more cohesive learning community among educators and learners in M-DCPS.