North Hills School Board Considers Upgrading Teacher Evaluation Documentation

The is considering developing a customized Apple iPad application that would offer an alternative to the traditional method of conducting and documenting teacher evaluations. 

Evaluations have previously been done using paper forms, said Jeff Taylor, North Hills director of curriculum.

The app, if its development is approved by the school board, will also gather data that over time can be analyzed, he said.

“With this information, we can fine-tune the professional development we offer to our teachers," Taylor said. 

Development of the app will cost $5,850 initially with annual costs for ongoing software maintenance amounting to $1,170. The company, Miamar Mobile Technologies of Monroeville, specializes in creating apps for businesses to run on Apple’s iPhone and iPad devices as well as on Android phones and tablets.

Depending upon how the app benefits the district, it may be only the beginning for the district.

“If it works well, we will definitely look at other ways we could use applications like these in North Hills,” Taylor said.

School directors are slated to vote on the proposal at their legislative meeting on Sept. 28 in the  LGI room.