Are School Administrators the New Instructional Leaders? Rethinking Teacher Evaluations

Education constantly evolves, and today, the shift from school administrators to building managers to instructional leaders is more critical than ever. Traditionally, many administrators focused on logistics—managing facilities, ensuring compliance, and overseeing day-to-day operations. But in today’s rapidly changing educational landscape, administrators must also be visionaries who drive instructional excellence. A crucial component of this shift is reimagining teacher evaluations, moving away from top-down assessments to a model where teachers take ownership of their growth through self-guided professional development.

Why the Shift is Needed

Recent research underscores that schools with administrators prioritizing instructional leadership over traditional management roles tend to see improved student outcomes. A study by the Wallace Foundation (2021) emphasizes that effective school leaders shape a vision of academic success for all students and cultivate leadership in others. This approach fosters a culture where teachers feel empowered and supported, leading to more engaged classrooms and higher student achievement.

A 2023 report by the Learning Policy Institute further supports this, finding that principals who act as instructional leaders—engaging with teachers in professional development and focusing on the quality of instruction—significantly impact teacher retention and student performance. This shift highlights the importance of administrators moving beyond operational tasks to focus on instructional strategies that directly influence classroom learning.

Teacher Evaluations: A Flawed System?

Traditional teacher evaluations often rely on a single observer (usually the principal) visiting classrooms a few times a year. This model can feel punitive rather than constructive, focusing on compliance rather than growth. In many cases, evaluations become a box-checking exercise, lacking the meaningful feedback and personalized development plans teachers need to thrive.

A recent review by the RAND Corporation (2022) suggests that evaluation systems focusing solely on observation fail to capture the complexities of effective teaching. Instead, a multifaceted approach that includes self-reflection, peer feedback, and goal-setting is more effective in fostering teacher growth. This is where a new model is needed—one that shifts the focus from external evaluations to internal motivation and continuous improvement.

A New Vision: Self-Guided Professional Development

Imagine a model where teacher evaluations are not just a task to be completed but an opportunity for genuine self-reflection and growth. In this model, teachers take charge of their development by:

• Setting personal goals
• Reflecting on their teaching practices
• Seeking targeted professional learning opportunities

Rather than acting solely as evaluators, administrators become coaches who support teachers in achieving their goals. This vision aligns with the Professional Learning Communities (PLC) model, which encourages teachers to collaborate, share best practices, and engage in ongoing reflection.

A 2023 study published in Educational Leadership underscores the power of PLCs in enhancing teaching practices and student learning outcomes, mainly when teachers are actively engaged in the process (Educational Leadership, 2023). When teachers have agency in their development, they are more likely to invest in their growth, directly benefiting their students.

Obstacles to the Shift

Despite the potential benefits, this transition comes with challenges. Here are a few common obstacles:

• Time Constraints: Administrators and teachers alike face time pressures that can make meaningful professional development difficult. Building in time for collaboration and reflective practice—such as dedicating part of weekly staff meetings to instructional discussions—can help.
• Resistance to Change: Shifting the focus of evaluations from compliance to growth requires a cultural shift. Building trust involves clear communication, transparency, and a shared commitment to improvement. According to a 2022 EdWeek Research Center report, schools prioritizing open dialogue and professional autonomy see greater buy-in from staff during such transitions.
• Lack of Training: Not all administrators are trained as instructional leaders. Investment in professional development for school leaders themselves is crucial. The Wallace Foundation's 2021 report emphasizes that targeted training is necessary to help principals transition from building managers to leaders of learning, ensuring they have the skills to coach and mentor teachers effectively.

The Role of Administrators as Instructional Coaches

For this shift to work, administrators must redefine their role as partners in the learning process. Instead of being seen as evaluators, they should be mentors who guide teachers in reflecting on their practice and setting goals for improvement.

This approach aligns with Viviane Robinson's research, whose findings were revisited in a 2023 analysis. The analysis showed that leaders who engage in instructional leadership—providing targeted feedback and engaging in professional dialogue—have a substantial impact on student learning outcomes (Robinson, 2023). Leaders who emphasize collaborative goal-setting and reflective practice cultivate a professional culture that encourages continuous improvement.

A Personal Perspective

In my experience, the most meaningful professional growth happens when educators feel a sense of ownership over their learning. As an educator, I remember moments when a colleague’s feedback or my self-reflection led to breakthrough insights about my teaching.

In contrast, formal evaluations often felt like a formality rather than a genuine opportunity for growth. When teachers are given the tools and the trust to drive their development, they become more innovative, motivated, and effective.

Conclusion

Moving from a model of administrators as building managers to instructional leaders is not just a change in job description—it’s a transformation of school culture. Schools can create a culture of continuous improvement by reimagining teacher evaluations as opportunities for self-guided growth.

This shift requires time, commitment, and a willingness to rethink traditional roles. But the payoff—engaged teachers, supportive leaders, and thriving students—makes it a goal worth pursuing.

References

1. Wallace Foundation. (2021). How Principals Affect Students and Schools: A Systematic Synthesis of Two Decades of Research. https://wallacefoundation.org/sites/default/files/2023-09/How-Principals-Affect-Students-and-Schools.pdf
2. Learning Policy Institute. (2023). Effective Principals: Research Review. https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/developing-effective-principals-brief
3. RAND Corporation. (2022). Improving Teacher Evaluation Systems.
4. Educational Leadership. (2023). Reimagining Professional Learning in Schools.
5. EdWeek Research Center. (2022). How Schools Can Foster a Culture of Growth.
6. Robinson, V. M. J. (2023). Instructional Leadership Revisited.