The Regional Implementing Decree regulating the evaluation systems on the performance of teachers and school boards of regional schools as established in the Teaching Career Statute for Preschool, Basic Education and Secondary Education in Autonomous Region of the Azores was published today in the Official Gazette.
 
The decree, which enters into force on September 1, aims to "improve the quality of education and teaching standards through the personal and professional development of teachers" and "the suitability of the organisation of the education system to the needs of the community in terms of education."
 
According to the preamble, the regulations now published "stem from the experience of the previous evaluation model," which was in force in regional public schools in recent years," as well as "from its evaluation over time." They are focused on the "professional development of teachers," which will allow them to "enhance the training component of evaluation, the reflective aspect of self-evaluation and professional growth" encouraged by "sharing, collegiality and partnership."
 
Likewise, the legal document ensures that "the assessment of teachers' performance should, above all, contribute to the quality of teaching and learning in the Region and, consequently, to the educational success of students and the improvement of school results."
 
Moreover, the decree also regulates the evaluation of the performance of school boards of the regional education system. Taking into consideration the implementation of the previous evaluation model, it was decided to modify it. Under the terms of newly approved model, the evaluation process "will be carried out in a peer review system at the end of each term, thus being adapted to the functions carried out by its members and the duration of the respective mandates."
 
According to the legal document, which comes into force Friday, July 29, the implementation of these evaluation models aim to "create simpler and transparent evaluation processes, promote and reward excellence, support those face increased difficulties as well as to stimulate the improvement of schools, as organisations, and the regional education system as a whole."