Cream cover with navy headline "Find the surprise before the teacher does." under the kicker "The Summative Surprise Audit," with three chips (5 questions per item, 1 told-log, 2-3 weeks before it's due) and the line "Disagreement is allowed. Surprise isn't."

The Summative Surprise Audit: How to Check an Evaluation Before You Deliver It

October 07, 2026

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summative evaluation summative teacher evaluation summative surprise audit summative surprise no surprises before you deliver draft summative summative is due five question test five questions told log honest rating every rating rating match written summary dated written summary written feedback earlier written feedback formal notice verbal conversation time to change body of evidence whole file most recent visit one observation second look formative feedback post observation conference teacher evaluation teacher evaluation documentation teacher evaluation software how to write a teacher evaluation legally defensible holds up never backdate backdate due process Loudermill Cleveland Board of Education v. Loudermill property interest public employees collective bargaining check your contract local policy district policy state timelines talk to HR HR office not legal advice legal advice general guidance concrete support model lesson struggling teacher teacher disagrees rule of thumb three weeks before two to three weeks fix the process run the audit conference summary final visit final document principals district leaders school leaders EvalScribe drafting tool

Anthony D. Neely, Ph.D.

Anthony D. Neely, Ph.D.

Anthony Neely is the Founder of EvalScribe, a veteran educator, an AI integration consultant for teaching & learning, researcher, & author.