The evaluation cycle is comprised of 5 steps: (1) Self-Assessment; (2) Goals & Action Plans; (3) Plan Implementation (Artifacts, Observations); (4) Formative Assessment; and (5) Summative Evaluation. The process is most powerful when used in alignment with school-wide improvement goals and all regulations are designed first and foremost to promote leaders' and teachers' growth and development.

Educator Effectiveness provide guidance tools for school leaders to (1) create plans and assign evaluators, (2) approve and review goals, and (3) submit evaluations for educators under their supervision in the Employee Development & Feedback System.

Rubrics, including the Classroom Teacher Model Rubric, the BPS Teacher Rubric with Suggested Teacher and Student Look-fors and the "What to look for" observation guides, (DESE) are designed to help educators and evaluators in different ways including to (1) Develop a consistent, shared understanding of what proficient performance looks like in practice; (2) Develop a common terminology and structure to organize evidence; and (3) Make informed professional judgments about formative and summative performance ratings on each Standard and an overall rating. As a result, rubrics play a part in all five components of the BPS Evaluation cycle.

The Interactive Rubric of Effective Teaching is embedded with resources and professional development opportunities for Boston Public School educators. The goal of the rubric is to illustrate effective teaching practices and support educators in continuously improving and reflecting on their practice as they work individually, with school leaders, and in professional learning communities.