The enactment of Education Law §3012-e provides an opportunity for school districts and BOCES to reflect on their current educator evaluation practices and develop new locally designed systems consistent with NYSED’s vision and our shared goal of supporting teacher and leader development across the career continuum. These new Standards-based Educator Evaluation and Support plans (“NYS STEPS”) should support all educators’ professional growth as a part of a comprehensive, systemic approach to advancing excellence in teaching and learning aligned to our New York State Teaching and Educational Leadership Standards, including the Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education Framework. Through multiple measures, including observation, educators will receive meaningful feedback on their practice and intentional professional learning and growth opportunities.