Guidance on Peer Evaluation in Teacher Evaluation Systems in Illinois - Guidance Document 13-17

Oct 10, 2026

Non-regulatory guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education outlines how peer evaluation can be incorporated into teacher evaluation systems. It explains the background and roles of peer evaluators, including prequalification and district/union agreement when peers evaluate other bargaining unit members. The guidance distinguishes districts required to implement peer evaluation under RTTT from those allowed but not required. It also provides implementation examples using peer observers for all teachers and consulting teachers within PAR programs, including evidence use and decision panels.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages17

Reading Time43 min

AccessFree to download

Type of Guidance

Scope of Guidance

Illinois State Board of Education May 14, 2013 Guidance Document 13-17 Guidance on Peer Evaluation in Teacher Evaluation Systems in Illinois This document is intended to provide non-regulatory guidance on the subject matter listed above. For specific questions, please contact the person(s) identified in the document. Dr. Christopher Koch, State Superintendent Printed by AFL-CIO (AFSCME Local \#288 and IFSOE Local \#3236) Employees Guidance on Peer Evaluation in Teacher Evaluation Systems in Illinois Type of Guidance This guidance document provides background information on peer evaluators and recommendations for utilizing peer observations in teacher performance evaluations. As a guidance document, the following is intended to support districts in understanding this topic and provide a foundation for making decisions about the district’s evaluation system. Although the local education agencies (LEAs) in Illinois that are receiving Race to the Top (RTTT) funds are required to implement peer evaluations as part of a summative teacher evaluation system, those not receiving RTTT funds are allowed but not required to use peer evaluation in teacher evaluations. LEAs not required to include peer evaluation also may use this guidance to inform decision making. The Performance Evaluation Reform Act (PERA) states: Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the board and the exclusive representative of the district’s teachers are hereby authorized to enter into an agreement to establish alternative procedures for teacher evaluation, remediation, and removal for cause after remediation, including an alternative system for peer evaluation and recommendations. (105 ILCS 5/34-85, emphasis added) The Illinois Administrative Code states: This Part establishes the minimum requirements for the establishment of valid and reliable performance evaluation systems for certified employees, pursuant to Article 24A of the School Code, that assess both professional competence or practice and student growth. The purposes ofthis Part are to…c) establish criteria for locally developed programs to prequalify and retrain evaluators. (23 Ill. Adm. Code 50.10(c), emphasis added) Evaluators may be “other individuals qualified under Section 24A-3, provided that, if such other individuals are in the bargaining unit of a district’s teachers, the district and the exclusive bargaining representative of that unit must agree to those individuals evaluating other bargaining unit members”( 105 ILCS 5/24A-2.5) . The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Nonregulatory Guidance for PERA and SB 7 document states: Yes, [a school district can use peer evaluators for teacher evaluations in the 2011–12 school year], provided that if the peer evaluators are represented by a union, the district and union have agreed to those peer evaluators evaluating other bargaining unit members. ... Note that peer evaluators, like any other evaluators, must be prequalified pursuant to Section 24A-3 of the School Code prior to conducting any evaluations in the 2012-2013 school year or beyond. (ISBE, 2012, 29, emphasis added) The Illinois RTTT phase three application states: All Participating LEAs must incorporate the following elements into their performance evaluation systems: • A formal peer evaluation system that is used for a significant portion of summative evaluations and can be used as part of evaluations during teacher remediation • The use of positive performance evaluations as part of the basis for selecting peer evaluators and mentors (State of Illinois, 2011, p. 38–39) All participating RTTT LEAs are required to pilot peer evaluations by the 2013–14 school year. Peer evaluation may be used for formative purposes in 2013–14; however, the peer evaluations must be incorporated in the summative evaluations (i.e., for stakes) during the 2014–15 school year. Scope of Guidance This guidance document provides examples of how to incorporate p

FAQs

What does the guidance document cover regarding peer evaluation?

It provides background on peer evaluators and recommendations for using peer observations in teacher performance evaluations, including how districts can incorporate peer evaluation into evaluation and remediation systems.

Which districts in Illinois are required to implement peer evaluations under RTTT?

Participating LEAs receiving Race to the Top (RTTT) funds are required to implement peer evaluations as part of a summative teacher evaluation system, while other LEAs may use peer evaluation but are not required to do so.

How can peer observers and consulting teachers be used differently?

Peer observers conduct observations and provide feedback during post-observation conferences, with administrators determining final ratings. Consulting teachers mentor and observe novice or struggling teachers in PAR programs and present midyear and end-of-year recommendations to a panel for retention or dismissal.

Oct 10, 2026

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