N.J. Admin. Code § 6A:30-5.3

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 23, December 2, 2024

Section 6A:30-5.3 - In-depth evaluation

(a) Upon completion of the comprehensive review, the Commissioner will notify the school district as to whether the Department will conduct an in-depth evaluation of the school district pursuant to the following:

1. The Department shall conduct an in-depth evaluation of school districts that satisfy less than 50 percent of the weighted quality performance indicators in one or more of the five key components of school district effectiveness, as determined by the comprehensive review, unless the Commissioner determines a comprehensive evaluation of the school district by the Department or directed by it has occurred within the last year;

2. The Department may conduct an in-depth evaluation for school districts that satisfy between 50 and 79 percent of the weighted quality performance indicators in one or more of the five key components of school district effectiveness, as determined by the comprehensive review. In making this determination, the Commissioner shall consider:

i. Whether other evaluations of the school district address the area(s) of deficiency or limited capacity identified through the comprehensive review process and whether the other evaluations obviate the need for an additional in-depth evaluation; or

ii. Whether the school district can demonstrate, through documentation or other data, it is engaged in efforts to address the area(s) of deficiency or limited capacity identified through the comprehensive review process; and

3. Notwithstanding the provisions of

(a)1 and 2 above, the Commissioner may decide not to conduct an in-depth evaluation of a school district if the Department conducted in a prior year an in-depth evaluation that was the basis for a district improvement plan currently in operation in the school district.

(b) The Commissioner shall designate, secure, or appoint appropriate persons or entities to conduct the in-depth evaluation. The evaluation team may consist of Department personnel, highly skilled professionals, or other appropriate persons as determined by the Commissioner, who also shall appoint a team leader. In all instances, the members of the evaluation team shall be qualified by training and experience to examine the specific conditions within the school district identified through the comprehensive review.

(c) The evaluation team, in consultation with Department staff, shall determine the scope of the in-depth evaluation. The evaluation may include, but need not be limited to:

1. The deficiency(ies) or area(s) of limited capacity within the school district identified by the comprehensive review as the component(s) of school district effectiveness for which the school district satisfied less than 80 percent of the weighted quality performance indicators;

2. Other deficiency(ies) or area(s) of limited capacity in school district effectiveness related to the deficiency(ies) or area(s) identified in (d)1 above; and/or

3. Conditions in the community that may adversely affect the students' ability to learn.

(d) The evaluation team leader, in consultation with the Commissioner and upon notice to the school district, may amend the evaluation's scope during the course of the evaluation if warranted based on the evaluation team's preliminary findings.

(e) The in-depth evaluation shall include, but need not be limited to, the following:

1. A pre-evaluation conference by the evaluation team with the CSA to discuss the review's scope and the procedures to be followed;

2. On-site visits to the public school district's central office and, at the discretion of the evaluation team, to one or more of the school district's schools. The dates for on-site visits shall be established in advance by the team leader in consultation with the school district's CSA;

3. A review of any document(s), data, or other written material(s) deemed relevant by the evaluation team. The CSA shall make available to the evaluation team, upon request, the relevant document(s), data, or other written material(s);

4. Interviews with individuals as determined appropriate by the evaluation team, including members of the school district committee responsible for completing the school district's District Performance Review, to obtain the individuals' perspectives regarding the circumstances that contributed to the area(s) of deficiency or limited capacity in the school district and to receive input and suggestions; and

5. Provision by the evaluation team for public input regarding the evaluation process.

(f) The review of school district practices conducted by the in-depth evaluation team shall be completed within 30 business days. The Commissioner may grant a reasonable extension(s) of time for completion of the in-depth evaluation.

(g) Within 45 days after conclusion of its review, the evaluation team shall submit a report to the Commissioner. The report shall include findings, conclusions, and recommendations for the school district to use in developing and implementing a district improvement plan.

(h) The Commissioner shall review the evaluation team's findings, conclusions, and recommendations. The Commissioner shall prepare a final report and shall transmit it to the CSA and the district board of education. The Commissioner may use his or her final report to re-evaluate the school district's placement on the performance continuum. The school district and the Department shall use the Commissioner's final report in developing the district improvement plan, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:30-5.4.

(i) Within 30 days of the issuance of the Commissioner's final report, the district board of education shall report the findings at a regular or special meeting.

N.J. Admin. Code § 6A:30-5.3

Amended by 49 N.J.R. 3681(a), effective 12/4/2017