DPS designed the LEAD growth and performance system to support Instructional Leadership Teams and improve student achievement. This includes the LEAD Framework which defines what excellent school leadership looks like. LEAD also helps school leaders develop their skills by identifying their areas of strength and opportunities for growth. This happens through supervisor and teacher feedback paired with access to personalized professional learning opportunities.

LEAD aligns closely with our teacher-focused growth and performance system LEAP (Leading Effective Academic Practice). Together, the two systems support the growth of all educators in every school. 

Interested in becoming a school leader? Check out

• DPS Careers – Make a difference for our teams
• Teacher Leadership & Collaboration

School Leader Talent Report user guides

• School Leader Talent Report User Guide for RIS/RAIS
• School Leader Talent Report User Guide for Principals

LEAD Framework Resources

• LEAD Updates 2023-24
• Educator Evaluation Changes: FAQ
• SB22-070 FAQ
• LEAD 2023-24 Timeline at a Glance
• LEAD Framework Handbook
• Titles/Positions Eligible for LEAD 2023-24

Principal/Assistant Principal/Leader of Others 

• LEAD Best Practices Checklist (School Leader)
• LEAD Best Practices Checklist (Director/Executive Director)
• Infor HR Instructions: How to change AP position to be indirect supervisor over deans
• LEAD Fairness Guide
• LEAD End-of-Year Conversation Guide PDF Version
• SchoolMint Login Page 
• Performance Management
  • LEAD Performance Improvement Plan Template
  • Sample LEAD PIP (coming soon)
  • LEAD PIP Guidance and Tips (coming soon)
  • Contact Noah Tonk, Senior Specialist, in order to begin the Performance Improvement process. 

LEAD Evaluation Structure

LEAD Evaluation Rating Redress Process

LEAD evaluation is made up of 70% professional practice and 30% student growth. 

Professional practice is measured by the six competencies in the LEAD Framework. 
LEAD Framework Competencies:

1. Instructional Expertise
2. Vision & Strategy
3. People & Culture
4. Community & Equity
5. Personal & Values
6. Operational & Organizational

Student growth is measured by School Performance Framework (SPF) growth and individual goals for student growth.

• For SY 2022-2023, ALL required components of educator evaluation are required by the Colorado Department of Education.  Educator evaluations are 50% Professional Practice & 50% Student Growth. For SY 2022-23, student growth within educator evaluations will be comprised of the following:

• 20% Individual LEAD Goals
• 10% Collective Measure= school-wide SLO Percent of Points Earned for SY 2023-24
  • This calculation is generated in the LAT and can be viewed on the school-level SLO tab in the LAT. We will use the percent as of May 1st* and provide the corresponding rating.

All principals, assistant principals, and leaders of others create and submit 2–3 leader-selected student growth goals. Student growth goals are intended to highlight school leaders’ primary areas of focus and are intended to align with the school’s Unified Improvement Plan (UIP) and Strategic School Plan.

SchoolMint Grow

SchoolMint is the collaborative observation and coaching tool for educators, inclusive of; Teachers, Specialized Service Providers and School Leaders. This tool includes enhanced communication and analytic features that make documentation and sharing simple, while helping educators work together to make progress toward their goals. 

SchoolMint is available here.

Training is housed within the SchoolMint tool by clicking on "Take a Tour" in the bottom, left-hand corner.

SchoolMint User Guides:

• LEAD: How to Create Goals and Action Steps
• LEAD: How to Find the Mid-Year Self-Assessment Form in SchoolMint
• LEAD: How to Find the Mid-Year Evaluation Form in SchoolMint
• SchoolMint LEAD EOY Evaluation - Evaluator
• SchoolMint LEAD EOY Evaluation - School Leader