Implications of Illinois Teacher Evaluation Reforms: Insights from Principals

This study investigated principals’ perceptions of Illinois teacher evaluation reforms, applying education policy implementation theory and micropolitics of personnel evaluation as conceptual frameworks. Interviews were conducted with 20 Illinois public school principals. Findings revealed micropolitics influenced the development and implementation of local evaluation procedures that were favorable to educators. Principals perceived student growth scores unduly inflated summative ratings, hindering them from rating educators as underperforming and subsequently assigning improvement plans. Despite challenges, participants believed improvement plans were important levers to hold educators accountable for improving their performance.