The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is now requiring cyber charter schools to abide by the Educator Effectiveness rules and regulations of Act 13.

The implementation of Act 13 in these schools necessitates a clear understanding of certain key components, particularly in relation to Act 13 rating forms. The information below seeks to clarify common queries about these new regulations.

Table Of Contents

• Should cyber charter schools complete Act 13 rating forms?
• Do cyber charter schools receive building level scores?
• Do classroom teachers at cyber charter schools have Teacher Specific Data?
• How should cyber charter schools evaluate certified vs. non-certified educators?

Should cyber charter schools complete Act 13 rating forms?

Yes! Starting the 2024-25 school year, cyber charter schools must complete classroom teacher (13-1), non-teaching professional (13-3), and principal (13-2) rating forms. The optional 13-4 rating form may be used for those professional employees who were rated unsatisfactory the previous rating period or rated “needs improvement” twice within the last four years by the same Local Educational Agency (LEA).

Do cyber charter schools receive building level scores?

Yes! Cyber charter schools will receive a building level score. Evaluators must reflect this score on professional employees’ (PE’s) evaluations when completing Act 13 rating forms beginning in the 2024-2025 school year. For the 2023-2024 school year, cyber charter schools may use the rating forms that were used in the past.

Do classroom teachers at cyber charter schools have Teacher Specific Data?

Yes! Cyber charter school classroom teachers who teach in state-assessed areas will have Student Performance on Assessment data (%Proficient/Advanced) beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, and starting in the 2026-2027 school year, they will also have Growth/PVAAS data. According to Act 13, evaluators must use Teacher Specific Data that is available and attributable when completing a 13-1 rating form for classroom teachers who are considered PEs.

In terms of Growth/PVAAS scores for cyber charter school teachers, the 2024-2025 school year is year one of the initial three-year rolling average. Therefore, school year 2026-2027 will be the first time that Growth/PVAAS scores will be applicable and attributable, and evaluators must reflect this on the 13-1 annual rating forms for classroom teachers who are considered PEs.

Professional classroom teachers must complete roster verification in the 2024-2025 school year.

How should cyber charter schools evaluate certified vs. non-certified educators?

PDE recommends that certified educators be treated as PEs. Therefore, PEs or certified educators at cyber charter schools should be evaluated once per year using an Annual 13 rating form. The evaluation will be based on all components.

PDE recommends that non-certified educators be treated as Temporary Professional Employees (TPEs). Therefore, TPEs or non-certified educators at cyber charter schools should be evaluated twice per year using semi-annual 13 rating forms. The evaluation will be based on 100% observation and practice.

If you have questions about Act 13 rating forms or Act 13 in general, please contact us. We are happy to help!