Effective School Management

Essentials for effective appraisal
We can identify a number of features of constructive appraisal:
Objectivity. The basis for a constructive discussion is prior agreement on the
criteria for effectiveness. A preliminary to appraisal is therefore a job
description with criteria and clear objectives of the type discussed in the
‘induction’ section of this chapter. The focus should then be on results achieved
against the criteria and objectives.
Willingness to listen. The manager’s approach should not be to tell the staff
member what is right or wrong but to ask for his or her views first. Indeed,
many good systems will ask the employee to draft his or her answers to the
appraisal form on to a separate form before the interview and to use this as a
basis for the discussion.
Openness to criticism. Not just the subordinate but also a mature manager
will listen very carefully to any criticism and use it as a basis for improvement.
To silence criticism is to demonstrate insecurity.
Counselling not judgement.
What can we do to improve the situation or the
results?
Action planning. New objectives and development plans carried forward,
progressed and reviewed systematically at the next review meeting.