2024 APPR Ratings FAQ

Q: How was my score determined?
A: For 3012-d teachers, your composite score is determined by coupling your observation rating and the District score (Student Growth Score), which is based on a battery of assessments given to students near the end of the year. Non 3012-d teachers (librarians, counselors, social workers, etc.) receive a score based solely on observations. Unfortunately, the District-wide Student Growth Score was “Developing” last year. Please see the table below for how the overall score is determined for 3012-d teachers.

Q: What assessments are used to compile the Student Growth Score?
A: Since the approval of our APPR in the 2016-2017 school year, the assessments used to determine the Student Growth Score have been: NYS Science 4, NYS Science 8, Algebra Regents, Living Environment Regents, ELA Regents, Global 10 Regents, and US History Regents. For 2024, the NYS Science 4 exam was not given and NYS Science 5 was substituted by the District. A Student Growth Score is required under Section 3012-d.

Q: Why were these tests chosen? I don’t teach any of these subjects.
A: These particular assessments were selected because they had a long history of reliability and, in every year except 2024, produced a rating of “Effective” for the Student Growth Score. In the past, this prevented hundreds of teachers from being placed on a Teacher Improvement Plan (TIP).

Q: Why is the District score so low this year?
A: While this battery of tests had been a stable metric for at least the past 10 years and resulted in an “Effective” rating, scores dropped this year. NYS Science 5 scores were significantly lower than NYS Science 4 scores had been in the past. In addition, a new Algebra Regents exam resulted in a statewide decrease in scores and passing rates. The other assessments saw a drop in scores as well. Furthermore, the District previously used a 3-year average of these tests. The State Education Department (SED) notified the District that this was not in compliance and only last year’s scores were allowed. See p23, Attachment D of the APPR M.O.U. CLICK HERE

Q: I used to write an SLO but did not last year. Why?
A: The SLO had been a source of many concerns from our teachers since 2016-2017 as only teachers of Regents classes were required to write one. Several principals throughout the District urged teachers to raise their target scores and State Ed law allows districts to do this without the consent of the teacher. Not wanting to cross the principal, many teachers acquiesced and this often resulted in a HEDI score of “Developing” or “Ineffective”. ALL teachers who were rated as “Developing” or “ineffective” in 2023 were teachers who were required to write an SLO. The SLO requirement for teachers of Regents classes was dropped by the State Education Department and the District used the Student Growth Score for all 3012-d teachers.

Q: Shouldn’t the District have negotiated dropping the SLO with the BTF?
A: As per the February 2017 MOU signed by the District and the BTF, “A District-wide measure of student performance will be utilized for all teachers except for teachers who, as per NYS regulations, have fifty percent (50%) or more of their students enrolled in a course requiring Regents Examinations, NYSAA and 4th or 8th grade state science exams.” (emphasis added) Since this NYS regulation no longer exists, this part of the M.O.U., found on p7 (CLICK HERE), is moot. The District did discuss this with BTF leadership and based on a preponderance of data, and the fact that SLOs have led to over 100 teachers being placed on a TIP since 2017, eliminating the SLO seemed prudent. However, the District did not need to negotiate this with the BTF and the Council of Delegates did not need to approve it.

Q: Did more teachers end up “Developing” this year as a result of the low Student Growth Score?
A: No. Since our APPR was negotiated, between 25 and 30 teachers annually typically would receive a score of “Developing” or “Ineffective”. This excludes the years ending 2020, 2021, and 2022 when APPR was suspended due to Covid-19. In 2023, ALL 25 TEACHERS WHO RECEIVED A SCORE OF “DEVELOPING” OR “INEFFECTIVE” WERE TEACHERS WHO WERE REQUIRED TO WRITE AN SLO. In 2024, 21 teachers received a HEDI score of “Developing” and nearly all were non-Regents teachers who would not previously have written an SLO. Therefore, the elimination of the SLO did not result in teachers being placed on a TIP.

Q: Can I appeal my score?
A: A score of “Effective” cannot be appealed. A score of “Developing” can only be appealed by certain probationary teachers. As per the MOU signed with the District in February 2017, within 60 days of receiving the APPR, probationary teachers who receive either 1) two “Developing” ratings during the probationary period or 2) A “Developing” rating in the final year of their probationary term may appeal to the Superintendent. Note that the 2024 APPR Reform Law signed by Governor Hochul in June 2024 precludes a school district from denying tenure to a teacher based solely on “Developing” or “Ineffective” HEDI ratings. As per Article XIII.C of our contract, an evaluation cannot be grieved. However, a teacher can attach a rebuttal to their evaluation by emailing it to Lynn Benaglio at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. It will be added to eDoctrina along with your evaluation.

Q: What does “Developing” on the Student Growth Score mean for me?
A: Nothing. Because the score is District-wide and out of your immediate control, you should not view this as something you could have changed. While it is unfortunate that this once-stable metric dropped, it is not a reflection on anything any of our teachers did or could have changed.

Q: Will the same tests be used for APPR 2025?
A: NYSUT has advised us that changes can still be made to 3012-d APPR agreements. The Living Environment Regents exam will have a new format and scoring conversion chart in 2025. We do not know how or if this could affect the Student Growth Score. We will meet with the District and any proposed change to the assessments used will be subject to the approval of the Council of Delegates.

Q: Can we negotiate a new APPR agreement?
A: Yes. We must negotiate a new agreement under Section 3012-e (also called NYS STEPS) and SED has given districts 8 years to do this. The BTF will make this a priority. However, the State Education Department has yet to issue the parameters for new agreements. They are expected by November 2024. After they do, NYSUT will provide guidance for locals to negotiate a new and fair APPR agreement, which may or may not include student performance. Student performance indicators are NOT required under 3012-e and can only be used if agreed to through collective bargaining.