Michigan 5D+ Teacher Evaluation Software
Run teacher evaluations on the 5 Dimensions of Teaching and Learning, the 5D+ rubric, one of Michigan's state-approved evaluation tools, aligned to your district's evaluation plan.
5D+ is the entry point, not the whole story. In EX in Education, 5D+ evaluations connect to coaching, goals, PD, and retention, so every educator moves from hired to thriving.
5D+ Classroom Observation
In short: Michigan requires annual educator evaluation, though non-probationary teachers rated highly effective or effective on their three most recent consecutive year-end evaluations may be evaluated biennially or triennially. For the observation portion, districts choose a state-approved tool, commonly 5D+, the Danielson Framework, Marzano, or Thoughtful Classroom. The 5D+ rubric, from the University of Washington Center for Educational Leadership, organizes teaching into five dimensions: Purpose, Student Engagement, Curriculum and Pedagogy, Assessment for Student Learning, and Classroom Environment and Culture.
Run this in your district
Reviewed for 2026-27 state requirements. Configure EX to your district's local process, or start from a ready-made observation form.
Michigan's 5D+ Evaluation Framework
The 5 Dimensions of Teaching and Learning, known as 5D+, is one of several evaluation tools approved for use in Michigan. It organizes effective teaching into five research-based dimensions plus a professional collaboration strand. In EX in Education, that framework is the doorway into a connected system for coaching, PD, and retention.
5D+: 5 Dimensions, 13 Subdimensions
The 5 Dimensions of Teaching and Learning are configured in EX from your district’s approved forms, so evaluators observe and score against the subdimensions without rebuilding forms.
- Purpose
- Student Engagement
- Curriculum and Pedagogy
- Assessment for Student Learning
- Classroom Environment and Culture
One of Michigan's Approved Tools
Michigan districts choose an evaluation tool from the state-approved list. 5D+ is one option, alongside frameworks such as Danielson, Marzano, and the Michigan-developed tools. EX adapts to whichever your district adopts.
- District selects a state-approved tool
- 5D+, Danielson, Marzano, or a Michigan tool
- Bring your district’s approved rubric and we’ll configure it
- Consistent evidence across every school
The 5 Dimensions of Teaching and Learning
All five 5D+ dimensions and their subdimensions are configured in EX in Education from your district’s approved forms, along with the professional collaboration strand, so Michigan evaluators can observe, score, and generate evidence from day one.
Purpose
Clear learning targets and success criteria that connect to standards.
- Learning targets
- Connection to standards
- Relevance
- Success criteria
Student Engagement
Active participation and student ownership of learning.
- Intellectual work
- Engagement strategies
- Student talk
Curriculum & Pedagogy
Standards-aligned instruction and effective teaching practices.
- Standards
- Teaching approaches
- Differentiation
- Scaffolding
- Gradual release
Assessment for Learning
Ongoing assessment and feedback that inform instruction.
- Formative assessment
- Self-assessment
- Data use
- Adjusting practice
Environment & Culture
A safe, supportive, and well-managed learning environment.
- Use of space
- Routines and rituals
- Classroom culture
- Behavior management
Professional Collaboration
The "plus" in 5D+: continuous improvement and professional growth.
- Professional learning
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Reflection
Formal Observations
- • Classroom observation by an evaluator
- • Evidence gathered across the 5D+ dimensions
- • Pre and post-observation conferences as the plan defines
- • Cadence and weighting set by district policy
Informal & Learning Walks
- • Quick walkthroughs for ongoing feedback
- • Learning walks and peer visits
- • Announced or unannounced visits
- • Cadence set by district policy
One approved tool among several: Michigan requires districts to evaluate teachers using a research-based tool, and 5D+ is one of the options on the state-approved list. Districts may instead adopt Danielson, Marzano, or a Michigan-developed tool, or a locally developed tool that meets state criteria. EX supports districts using the 5D+ framework and configures the observation structure your district's evaluation plan uses, and adapts as your plan changes.
Effectiveness Ratings, Tracked Over Time
Following 2024 changes to Michigan law, teachers receive one of three year-end effectiveness ratings. EX in Education records each rating, ties it to the evidence behind it, and carries it forward so growth is visible from one cycle to the next.
Effective
Meets professional standards with a positive impact on student learning
Developing
Making progress toward the standards and benefits from targeted support
Needing Support
Does not yet meet standards and requires intensive, individualized support
Michigan year-end ratings combine classroom observation evidence with student growth data. Under 2024 changes (Senate Bills 395 and 396), and beginning in 2024-25, the student growth and assessment portion must account for 20% of the year-end evaluation, based on locally agreed-on data or student learning objectives. Teachers rated Developing or Needing Support are supported with an individualized development plan. EX in Education keeps each teacher's rating history, dimension scores, and development plans in one place, and routes the ones who need support into coaching cycles so a rating leads to next steps, not just a score.
Built for Michigan's Evaluation Process
EX in Education gives Michigan districts what they need to run 5D+ evaluations aligned to state requirements, then connects that evidence to coaching, PD, goals, and retention across every school.
5D+ Digital Forms
Observation forms configured from your district’s approved instrument, covering all 5 dimensions and 13 subdimensions, on the 5D+ four-point scale.
- • All subdimensions included
- • Four-point rating scale
- • Evidence collection tools
Observation Cycles
Manage formal 5D+ observations alongside quick walkthroughs and learning walks, with scheduling and reminders in one connected system.
- • Formal observations
- • Informal walkthroughs
- • Cycle reminders
Student Growth Data
Track the student growth measures your district uses alongside 5D+ observation results in one record.
- • State and local measures
- • Growth alongside observations
- • Evidence in one record
Coaching Handoff
Turn what an observation surfaces into a coaching cycle, so feedback leads to real support instead of a filed form.
- • Evidence to coaching
- • Structured feedback
- • Follow-up visits
Development Plans
Create and monitor individualized development plans with structured support and documentation for teachers who need it.
- • Structured development plans
- • Milestones and check-ins
- • Linked to coaching
Growth Goals
Set professional goals tied to what the evaluation surfaced, tracked in the same module that follows a teacher across the year.
- • Goal setting tools
- • Progress tracking
- • Linked to PD
Why Michigan Districts Run 5D+ Inside EX in Education
Run 5D+ evaluations aligned to state requirements, then use what the evaluation surfaces to actually grow and keep your teachers. Evaluation is the doorway. Educator growth and retention is the product.
Less admin, more coaching
Structured workflows and feedback tools free evaluators to spend more of their time in coaching conversations, not paperwork.
Consistent across schools
Consistent rubrics and processes help evaluators score consistently, whether it is one building or the whole district.
Growth you can see
Effectiveness ratings, goals, and coaching history sit together, so progress is visible over time instead of scattered across files.
Retention, not just ratings
When feedback connects to PD, goals, and support, teachers keep developing, and districts keep the ones they worked hard to hire.
How AI Supports 5D+ Evaluations
AI in EX in Education helps evaluators work through 5D+ faster while keeping every judgment in human hands. It drafts and organizes, evaluators decide.
Draft Feedback From Evidence
Turn observation notes into clear, dimension-aligned feedback that the evaluator reviews and edits before it is shared.
Organize Evidence by Dimension
Sort notes and artifacts against the five 5D+ dimensions and their subdimensions, so nothing is missed when it is time to score.
Suggest Growth Next Steps
Surface coaching moves and PD ideas tied to what an observation revealed, ready for the evaluator to assign.
Bring 5D+ Into the Bigger Picture
See how EX in Education runs 5D+ aligned to Michigan's requirements, then connects evaluations to coaching, PD, goals, and retention across every school.
Tracking license renewal too? Michigan professional development and renewal requirements.
Built for Michigan's requirements. Bring your district’s approved rubric and we’ll configure it. Connected to coaching, PD, and goals.
Michigan teacher evaluation: frequently asked questions
How does teacher evaluation work in Michigan?
Michigan requires annual educator evaluation. For the classroom observation portion, districts use a state-approved evaluation tool and may choose among approved options such as 5D+, the Danielson Framework, Marzano, or Thoughtful Classroom, or a locally created rubric.
What is 5D+?
The 5 Dimensions of Teaching and Learning (5D+), developed by the University of Washington Center for Educational Leadership, is one of Michigan's approved evaluation tools. It organizes effective teaching into five dimensions, Purpose, Student Engagement, Curriculum and Pedagogy, Assessment for Student Learning, and Classroom Environment and Culture, plus a professional collaboration and communication strand (the "+").
What are the Michigan effectiveness ratings?
Following 2024 changes to Michigan law (Senate Bills 395 and 396), teachers receive one of three year-end ratings: Effective, Developing, or Needing Support. This replaced the earlier four-category rating system.
How much of a Michigan evaluation is based on student growth?
Beginning in 2024-25, 20% of the year-end evaluation must be based on locally agreed-on student growth and assessment data or student learning objectives metrics. The remaining 80% is based on the observation of professional practice.
Part of EX in Education
One piece of the educator experience.
Michigan 5D+ evaluations are one part of how districts support educators. In EX in Education, they connect to the bigger picture: walkthroughs, coaching, evaluations, goals, PD, recognition, surveys, and retention. Bring your own process and forms, and we’ll run them across every school so every educator moves from hired to thriving.