Ohio's system for evaluating teachers is research-based and designed to be transparent, fair and adaptable to the specific contexts of Ohio’s districts (rural, urban, suburban, large and small). The evaluation system builds on what educators know about the importance of ongoing assessment and feedback as a powerful vehicle to support improved practice.

House Bill 1 in 2009 directed the Educator Standards Board to recommend model evaluation systems for teachers and principals to the State Board of Education for their review and adoption. The Ohio Teacher Evaluation System was created in response to this mandate and designed to be used to assess the performance of Ohio teachers.

Ohio teachers, school administrators, higher education faculty and representatives from Ohio’s professional associations developed the Ohio Teacher Evaluation System (OTES) in collaboration with national experts in the area of teacher evaluation.

Ohio is serious about its commitment to quality schools. In 2016, the Ohio Department of Education, in partnership with the Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators and Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators, identified individuals throughout the state to participate in a community of practice. This workgroup of advisors examined what Ohio can do to support high-quality leadership practices aimed at addressing the needs of building principals and each student they serve.

Upon determining gaps in support for principals, the advisors identified that the principal role should  be redefined, namely by revising the principal standards to make them precise and reflective of the roles and responsibilities of today’s principals. The 2016 Principal Workgroup recommended the need to conduct a gap analysis and revise the 2005 Ohio Standards for Principals by evaluating, selecting and incorporating language, skills and standards from the National Policy Board for Educational Administration’s Professional Standards for Educational Leaders 2015. The workgroup also examined leadership evaluation models from other states to gain an understanding of the broader national landscape. The revised 2018 Ohio Standards for Principals are intended to be used in conjunction with preservice preparation programs, local districts and statewide policy efforts to support and define the role of the Ohio principal.

School counselors play an instrumental role in school districts throughout Ohio by helping guide students toward success in education and their future careers. In response to changes in state law, Ohio created a standards-based evaluation policy for school counselors that provides them with useful feedback and support as they grow and learn professionally. Ohio’s first step in this process was the development of standards, which the State Board of Education approved in October 2015. 

The standards set forth effective principles for an effective school counseling program. They also outline what school counselors are expected to know and be able to do at all stages of their careers. This includes the ability to provide counseling to help students with academics, career planning and social-emotional development. The standards also reflect Ohio-specific knowledge of career counseling for students and education options that provide flexibility for earning credit.