Evidence Binders

What is an evidence binder?

A compilation of evidence of the work in your classroom. Remember, instructionally, you are not doing anything differently than you have done before. The difference now is you should maintain evidence. You can organize your evidence digitally or in a physical binder. My suggestion is that if you choose to keep your evidence digitally, you always print a hard copy anyway.

Your evidence should reflect

The organization is up to you. It would be best to divide it into sections.

  • The NYS Teaching Standards
  • The Danielson Rubric for the APPR
  • Learning Standards for your subject area
  • SLOs for your class
  • Teaching Artifacts

Teaching Artifacts

Think about what you want to include, how that artifact impacted student learning, and how you know it impacted student learning. What standards are being addressed (NYS Teaching and Subject Area Standards).

Some examples (remember that everything you choose should have comments regarding the impact of student learning)

Course Management

  • Course Description
  • Syllabus
  • Lesson Plans
  • Your reflections on lessons and any changes made as a result of your reflection
  • Handouts

Instructional Data

  • Number of students
  • Student Population (IEP, 504)
  • Attendance
  • Classroom resources (include the good, the bad, the problematic)
  • Instructional Technology
  • Extra Help (keep records of who attended and how the session was conducted; did the extra help have a positive impact?)
  • Communications with parents/students
  • Guest speakers

Student Work

  • Pre-Test and Post-Tests (could be by unit or at the beginning of the year reflecting what will be taught that year – good way to illustrate growth)
  • Samples of student work with any feedback (you may include comments on how feedback was given)
  • Student work with your comments (Especially keep any resubmission where a student has taken your advice and work has improved)
  • Student journal entries
  • Test Scores – state and local

Professional Development

  • Attendance at professional conferences (what was the impact on your teaching practice?)
  • Recognition (awards, honors)
  • Collaboration with colleagues
  • Professional committees
  • Cooperating Teacher Log