«It's about finding your weaknesses and trying to
identify things that you can do in your school or as an individual to get better.34» Indeed, the assessment calls for documentation that a principal has undergone at least 20 hours of professional development
during the review year.35 Along with addressing weaknesses, the Gwinnett County
evaluation process rewards excellence: The district gives top performing schools a cash incentive that principals can spend as they wish.
Denver Public Schools has been using SGOs for many years; their 2008 - 2009 Teacher Handbook states that an SGO must be «focused on the expected growth of [a teacher's] students in areas
identified in collaboration with their principal,» as well as that the objectives must be «Job - based; Measurable; Focused on student growth in learning; Based on learning content and teaching strategies; Discussed collaboratively at least three times
during the school year; May be adjusted
during the school year; Are not directly related to the teacher
evaluation process; [and] Recorded online» (for more information click here).