Teacher Qualifications & Evaluations

Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) | (ESSA) Teacher Qualifications

Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR)

Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) is the process by which New York’s public school teachers and principals are evaluated. Governed by the principles outlined in Education Law 3012-d and aligned with New York State teaching and leadership standards, each school district develops its own evaluation plan within those guidelines that must be submitted and approved by the New York State Education Department.

As part of the APPR system, teachers and principals in New York State receive an effectiveness rating annually. The APPR system rates classroom teachers and principals as “highly effective,” “effective,” “developing” or “ineffective.” The district has a release procedure of APPR teacher and principal effectiveness scores. 

While APPR scores are not considered public information, the law requires that a school district release to parents and legal guardians of a student the final quality rating and composite effectiveness score of their child’s current classroom teachers and principal, upon request and verification of identity.

North Colonie parents and legal guardians must schedule an appointment with the Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services by telephone, e-mail or in writing, to view the releasable information.

Upon arrival, the parent or legal guardian must present valid information to confirm that he or she is the parent/legal guardian of the student.

During the meeting, parents will verbally receive the requested releasable information, which is the composite score (number grade up to 100) and overall quality rating (highly effective, effective, developing or ineffective). A handout will be provided to explain the APPR information in accordance with education law.

View the North Colonie Central School District’s 2023 APPR Variance Plan

Implementation of Teacher and Principal Evaluation Systems for the 2024-25 School
Year and Thereafter Pursuant to Education Law §§3012-d and 3012-e as Amended by
Chapter 143 of the Laws of 2024

Teacher Qualifications (ESSA)

New York State Education Department has created a process for resolving complaints alleging that a local educational agency (LEA), grantee or NYSED has violated a law, rule, or regulation in the administration of any “covered Federal program” under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

These procedures offer parents and other stakeholders a process to file complaints and allow for the timely resolution of such complaints. A complainant may include any of the following: parents, public agencies, and other individuals or organizations.

Learn more about ESSA complaint procedures and how to file a complaint.