New York APPR Teacher Evaluation Software
Run Annual Professional Performance Review evaluations on the Danielson Framework, with HEDI ratings and Student Learning Objectives, aligned to New York's requirements.
APPR is the entry point, not the whole story. In EX in Education, APPR evaluations connect to coaching, goals, PD, and retention, so every educator moves from hired to thriving.
APPR Classroom Observation
New York's APPR Evaluation Framework
The Annual Professional Performance Review is New York's system for evaluating teacher effectiveness. Under Education Law 3012-d, each teacher's rating combines a Teacher Observation category, commonly scored on the Danielson Framework, with a Student Performance category. In EX in Education, that framework is the doorway into a connected system for coaching, PD, and retention.
Danielson: 4 Domains, 22 Components
Many New York districts score the observation category on the Danielson Framework for Teaching. All four domains come pre-configured in EX so evaluators score against the components without rebuilding forms.
- Planning and Preparation
- Classroom Environment
- Instruction
- Professional Responsibilities
Two APPR Categories
Under 3012-d, APPR rates each teacher on two categories, then combines them into a single HEDI rating. EX tracks both alongside the observation evidence.
- Teacher Observation category on an approved rubric
- Student Performance category with Student Learning Objectives
- SLOs scored on a 0 to 20 scale
- Category ratings combined into one HEDI result
Complete Danielson Framework Coverage
All four Danielson domains and their 22 components are pre-built in EX in Education, so New York evaluators can observe, score, and generate evidence for the APPR observation category from day one.
Planning & Preparation
Six components covering what teachers do before instruction begins.
- 1a. Demonstrating knowledge of content and pedagogy
- 1b. Demonstrating knowledge of students
- 1c. Setting instructional outcomes
- 1d. Demonstrating knowledge of resources
- 1e. Designing coherent instruction
- 1f. Designing student assessments
Classroom Environment
Five components covering culture, relationships, and classroom management.
- 2a. Creating an environment of respect and rapport
- 2b. Establishing a culture for learning
- 2c. Managing classroom procedures
- 2d. Managing student behavior
- 2e. Organizing physical space
Instruction
Five components covering instruction as it happens in the classroom.
- 3a. Communicating with students
- 3b. Using questioning and discussion techniques
- 3c. Engaging students in learning
- 3d. Using assessment in instruction
- 3e. Demonstrating flexibility and responsiveness
Professional Responsibilities
Six components covering reflection, records, families, and continued growth.
- 4a. Reflecting on teaching
- 4b. Maintaining accurate records
- 4c. Communicating with families
- 4d. Participating in the professional community
- 4e. Growing and developing professionally
- 4f. Showing professionalism
Required Observations
- • Observation by the principal or a supervisor
- • Observation by an independent, trained evaluator
- • Pre and post-observation conferences as the plan defines
- • Number and weighting set by the district's APPR plan
Optional & Peer
- • Peer observation as an optional subcomponent
- • Informal walkthroughs for ongoing feedback
- • Announced or unannounced visits
- • Cadence set by district policy
APPR framework transition: New York districts evaluate under Education Law 3012-d and may continue to do so through the 2031-2032 school year, while 3012-e (STEPS) phases in as an alternative. Districts choose one framework per group of educators and hold it for a full evaluation cycle. EX supports the Danielson rubric and the observation structure your district's APPR plan uses, and adapts as your plan changes.
HEDI Ratings, Tracked Over Time
APPR produces one of four final HEDI 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.
Highly Effective
Consistently exceeds standards with strong impact on student learning
Effective
Consistently meets professional standards with clear positive outcomes
Developing
Inconsistently meets standards and needs targeted support
Ineffective
Does not meet standards and requires intensive support
Under 3012-d, each teacher receives a HEDI rating in the Student Performance and Teacher Observation categories, and an overall HEDI rating determined by a state matrix that combines the two. Teachers rated Developing or Ineffective are supported with a Teacher Improvement Plan (TIP). EX in Education keeps each teacher's rating history, category scores, and improvement 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 New York's Evaluation Process
EX in Education gives New York districts what they need to run APPR aligned to state requirements, then connects that evidence to coaching, PD, goals, and retention across every school.
Danielson-Aligned Forms
Observation forms pre-built for all 4 Danielson domains and 22 components, on the APPR rating scale.
- • All 22 components included
- • HEDI rating scale
- • Evidence collection tools
Observation Cycles
Manage principal, independent-evaluator, and peer observations alongside quick walkthroughs, with scheduling and reminders in one connected system.
- • Principal and independent evaluators
- • Informal walkthroughs
- • Cycle reminders
SLO & Student Performance
Set and track Student Learning Objectives and the student performance measures your district uses alongside observation results.
- • SLO goal setting
- • 0 to 20 scoring
- • 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
TIP Management
Create and monitor Teacher Improvement Plans with structured support and documentation for teachers who need it.
- • Structured improvement 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 New York Districts Run APPR Inside EX in Education
Run APPR compliantly, 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
Standard Danielson rubrics and processes help principals and independent evaluators score consistently, whether it is one building or the whole district.
Growth you can see
HEDI 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 APPR Evaluations
AI in EX in Education helps evaluators work through APPR faster while keeping every judgment in human hands. It drafts and organizes, evaluators decide.
Draft Feedback From Evidence
Turn observation notes into clear, component-aligned feedback that the evaluator reviews and edits before it is shared.
Organize Evidence by Component
Sort notes and artifacts against the 22 Danielson components, 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 APPR Into the Bigger Picture
See how EX in Education runs APPR aligned to New York's requirements, then connects evaluations to coaching, PD, goals, and retention across every school.
Built for APPR requirements. Bring your own rubric, or start from ours. Connected to coaching, PD, and goals.
Part of EX in Education
One piece of the educator experience.
New York APPR 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, or start from a template, then run it across every school so every educator moves from hired to thriving.
Start a conversation