Peer Assistance and Review (PAR)

The Peer Assistance and Review (PAR) Program promotes excellence in education by investing in educators. PAR is funded by the California State Legislature and SCOE has developed the program into a comprehensive system to serve all teachers—including probationary, volunteer, and referred participating teachers.

PAR is designed to provide a comprehensive support structure for all SCOE teachers in the areas of subject matter knowledge, teaching strategies, classroom management skills, and the California Standards for the Teaching Profession (CSTP). Participating teachers may be either voluntary or referred. A consulting teacher works with participating teachers to assist in learning new skills and strategies, and to meet the performance objectives included in a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). The PAR program is confidential and non-evaluative, serving all SCOE teachers.

Peer Assistance and Review Panel


Program Details

How does the program work?

The Peer Assistance and Review Program is designed to provide comprehensive support for all SCOE teachers in the areas of subject matter knowledge, teaching strategies, classroom management skills and the California Standards for the Teaching Profession (CSTP). Consulting Teachers will work with participating teachers to assist them in learning new skills and strategies, and to meet the performance objectives included in a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP).

What is a Consulting Teacher (CT)?​​

A Consulting Teacher is an exemplary educator who has been chosen on the basis of consistently high performance, extensive experience, education and professional development, and a commitment to serving fellow educators as a role model and mentor. SCOE Consulting Teachers serve for a three-year term.

What is a Participating Teacher (PT)?​

Participating Teachers may be new hires or veteran educators with many years of experience. Any teacher may request the services offered by the PAR program, and their participation remains strictly confidential. PTs select the focus of their activities from the standards included in the CSTP. In collaboration with the CT, activities are chosen with a goal of improving the PT's performance in the chosen standards.

What is a Referred Teacher?​​

Referred Teachers are tenured or veteran educators. Teachers are automatically referred to PAR if they receive an unsatisfactory evaluation in subject matter knowledge, teaching strategies, or both on their formal evaluation. Referred Teachers receive support from a Consulting Teacher with a concentration on the performance objectives mentioned in the Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). Support activities may include classroom observations, one-on-one consultation, workshops, conferences and other professional development. These activities remain confidential and non-evaluative.