Evaluate the Performance of All Types of Employees — Now Built for the STEPS Transition
One Platform for 3012-d and STEPS — Even at the Same Time!
New York State is transitioning educator evaluation from the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) framework under Education Law §3012-d to STEPS (Standards-based Educator Evaluation and Professional Support), a locally-driven model that gives districts far more flexibility to design their own evaluation systems, measures, and rubrics.
That flexibility creates a real administrative challenge: many districts will spend a transition period with some bargaining units still on 3012-d plans while others move to STEPS — sometimes in the same building, in the same school year. SchoolFront's Employee Assessment & Evaluation module now supports both frameworks fully, side by side, in a single system, so your team never has to manage evaluations across two disconnected tools or spreadsheets during the changeover.
NYS Teacher Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR)
This module facilitates the entire New York State teacher Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) process and electronically produces final APPR scores and compliant documentation, which is then stored in employees' electronic personnel folders — and now runs in parallel with STEPS-based plans for districts mid-transition.
✔️ Managing the NYS APPR with SchoolFront
Licensed and Custom Rubric Support for STEPS
Whether your district has already adopted STEPS, is negotiating its first STEPS plan, or is staying on 3012-d for now, SchoolFront gives you the rubric flexibility STEPS is built around:
Danielson Framework for Teaching — licensed support built in
SOAR Leadership Multidimensional Principal Performance Rubric (MPPR) — licensed support built in
SOAR Leadership Multidimensional Leadership Performance Rubric (MLPR) — licensed support built in
Fully custom, district-designed rubrics — configure your own models, evaluation cycles, and evidence types to match your locally-negotiated plan
Standardized Performance Reviews for Non-Instructional Staff
Schools employ more than just teachers and principals. In New York State, teachers in public schools are evaluated annually using a standardized NYS APPR (or STEPS-based plan), but non-instructional personnel can also benefit from regular, structured performance reviews.
✔️ Evaluating Non-Instructional Employees with SchoolFront
Already Using SchoolFront? Evaluations Just Got More Powerful
If your district already relies on SchoolFront for personnel files, hiring, or time and attendance, this update means evaluation data isn't siloed in a separate system. Completed evaluations, ratings, and documentation flow directly into each employee's digital personnel folder, and SchoolFront can trigger notifications and workflow reminders based on evaluation milestones — no duplicate data entry, and evaluation data available wherever you need it in SchoolFront.
Clearly communicate and plan to address deficiencies.
Ensure that all employees are evaluated in a consistent manner with consistent criteria.
Objectively differentiate between employees with very similar skill sets, experience, and employment histories.
Let top performers know they are recognized and valued by the school / district.
Establish employee goals tied to school / district strategic vision and goals.
Promote a culture of open communication and two-way feedback exchange.