Evaluation of Classified Employees

Evaluation is an important tool to develop and retain skilled employees. It should be used to recognize employees that are performing well, to identify areas for growth and to provide employees with clear, explicit feedback about their performance. An agreed upon appraisal system lets employees know what is expected, what is recognized and rewarded, and what is unacceptable.

Sound evaluation systems incorporate several key elements.

• Reliable Data – Good systems provide consistent, reliable and valid information about an employee’s performance.

• Job Related – The data used to measure an employee’s performance is be directly related to the work being performed.

• Standardization – Sound evaluation systems use appraisal forms, procedures and ratings that are standardized for employees doing similar work.

• Manageable – The system can be implemented by administrators and understood by all parties involved in the appraisal process.

• Results are Shared – Employees know how the system works and that they will receive timely feedback about their performance. Employees who disagree with the results have a process to challenge the appraisal.

• Due Process – Administrators follow the agreed upon process and there is a clear, viable process for employees to pursue disagreements.

While there is no uniform approach or format to the evaluation of classified employees, there are patterns to the data that is collected and the abilities that are assessed.

• Work Knowledge and Performance – This area generally assesses the employee’s knowledge and skill in their work area and the quality of that work. This section might assess knowledge of skills needed to perform the job, the quality of the performed work, employee attention to safety, following policies and procedures, and participation in appropriate training.

• Personal Abilities – In addition to knowledge and skills in a work area most evaluations include an assessment of personal characteristics and the employee’s ability to work as a member of a team. Common topics include taking initiative, dependability, workplace demeanor and the employee’s ability to work with others.

Most evaluation systems include a checklist with a rating scale. They generally include a location for open-ended comments by the evaluator, and signatures by the evaluator and employee. Some systems include identification of future goals.

Achievement in Rural Schools

A recent story on the Eduction Week Rural Education Blog discussed changes in rural educaiton. While rural Americans have improved their educational status, the gap between rural and urban areas continues to grow. For example, in rural areas more residents now obtain some sort of post-secondary education (7.8% in 1970; 27.4% in 2010) and fewer residents report having less than a high school education (59.4% in 1970; 18.9% in 2010). Rural areas now have more residents with a college degree (15.4%) but have fallen further behind the national average of 27.9% than any time in the past 40 years. These numbers parallel recent data that show only 27% of rural students enrolling in college compared to 34% nationally.