Teachers: Check Accuracy of Your Evaluation Data Now Reported in MOECS

Reblogged from mea.org

Starting this month, K-12 teachers will need to check the accuracy of their evaluation data from the last five years that will be uploaded to the state’s online database known as the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS).
New state rules will tie some types of teacher certificate renewal and progression to effectiveness labels teachers received during the most recent five-year period. The change is part of the new Michigan educator evaluation law, Public Act 173 of 2015.
The evaluation data will be available Aug. 19 to view in MOECS. If teachers find their evaluation data is inaccurate, they will need to work with their district to file a data appeal to correct it. Appeals to correct errors can be filed from Sept. 1-Dec. 1, 2016.
PA 173 maintained the requirement that annual year-end evaluations assign one of four effectiveness labels based on the tools and measurements used in a district’s educator evaluation system: highly effective, effective, minimally effective, or ineffective. In addition, the law creates new requirements for the renewal and progression of certain certificates based on the effectiveness labels.
The only immediate change involves teachers who wish to pursue a purely optional level of certification known as the Advanced Professional Certificate. In addition, after July 1, 2018, teachers applying to progress for the first time from a Provisional Certificate to a Professional Certificate will be affected by the changes.
Under the law, evaluations will not play a role in the issuance or renewal of a Provisional Certificate or in renewal of a Professional Certificate.
In order to progress to or renew the optional Advanced Professional Certificate, beginning immediately, a teacher must have 
  • Received a highly effective rating on three out of the five most recent annual year-end evaluations; AND
  • Not been rated ineffective within the five most recent years; AND
  • Met additional criteria, such as the completion of National Board Certification or an approved teacher leader program.
In order to progress to the initial Professional Certificate on or after July 1, 2018, a teacher must have  
  • Successfully completed three years of teaching; AND
  • Received effective or highly effective annual year-end evaluations for the 3 consecutive school years immediately preceding his or her application for the professional teaching certificate; OR
  • Received three nonconsecutive effective or highly effective annual year-end evaluations and have received a recommendation for certificate progression from his or her chief school administrator.
For additional information, visit www.michigan.gov/mde-edevals or email MDE-EdEvals@ michigan.gov.