Section 342.850 - Teacher evaluation; personnel file content; rules(1) The district superintendent of every school district, including superintendents of education service districts, shall cause to have made at least annually but with multiple observations an evaluation of performance for each probationary teacher employed by the district. The purpose of the evaluation is to aid the teacher in making continuing professional growth and to determine the teacher's performance of the teaching responsibilities. Evaluations shall be based upon at least two observations and other relevant information developed by the district.(2)(a) The district school board shall develop an evaluation process in consultation with school administrators and with teachers. If the district's teachers are represented by a local bargaining organization, the board shall consult with teachers belonging to and appointed by the local bargaining organization in the consultation required by this paragraph.(b) The district school board shall implement the evaluation process that includes: (A) The establishment of job descriptions and performance standards which include but are not limited to items included in the job description;(B) A preevaluation interview which includes but is not limited to the establishment of performance goals for the teacher, based on the job description and performance standards;(C) An evaluation based on written criteria which include the performance goals;(D) A post-evaluation interview in which:(i) The results of the evaluation are discussed with the teacher; and(ii) A written program of assistance for improvement is established, if one is needed to remedy any deficiency specified in ORS 342.865(1)(a), (d), (g) or (h); and(E) The utilization of peer assistance whenever practicable and reasonable to aid teachers to better meet the needs of students. Peer assistance shall be voluntary and subject to the terms of any applicable collective bargaining agreement. No witness or document related to the peer assistance or the record of peer assistance shall be admissible in any proceeding before the Fair Dismissal Appeals Board, or in a probationary teacher nonrenewal hearing before a school board under ORS 342.835, without the mutual consent of the district and the teacher provided with peer assistance.(c) Nothing in this subsection is intended to prohibit a district from consulting with any other individuals.(3) Except in those districts having an average daily membership, as defined in ORS 327.006, of fewer than 200 students, the person or persons making the evaluations must hold teaching licenses. The evaluation shall be signed by the school official who supervises the teacher and by the teacher. A copy of the evaluation shall be delivered to the teacher.(4) The evaluation reports shall be maintained in the personnel files of the district.(5) The evaluation report shall be placed in the teacher's personnel file only after reasonable notice to the teacher.(6) A teacher may make a written statement relating to any evaluation, reprimand, charge, action or any matter placed in the teacher's personnel file and such teacher's statement shall be placed in the personnel file.(7) All charges resulting in disciplinary action shall be considered a permanent part of a teacher's personnel file and shall not be removed for any reason. A teacher shall have the right to attach the teacher's response, or other relevant documents, to any document included under this subsection.(8) The personnel file shall be open for inspection by the teacher, the teacher's designees and the district school board and its designees. District school boards shall adopt rules governing access to personnel files, including rules specifying whom school officials may designate to inspect personnel files.(9) A program of assistance for improvement or evaluation procedure shall not be technically construed, and no alleged error or unfairness in a program of assistance for improvement shall cause the overturning of a dismissal, nonextension of contract, nonrenewal of contract or other disciplinary action unless the contract teacher suffered a substantial and prejudicial impairment in the teacher's ability to comply with school district standards.1971 c.570 §5; 1973 c.298 §3; 1973 c.458 §1; 1977 c.881 §3; 1979 c.598 §1; 1979 c.668 §2a; 1987 c.663 §1; 1989 c.491 §29; 1997 c.864 §9