Kansas Educator Evaluation Protocol (KEEP)
Kansas's state-developed teacher evaluation protocol aligned to the Kansas Professional Education Standards. KEEP provides a framework for observing and evaluating teacher performance across multiple professional standards, with districts adapting implementation to local context.
The KEEP is organized into 4 domains, 10 criteria, and a 4-level rating scale.
Available for all Kansas school districts as the state-developed evaluation protocol.
Domains and Criteria
The KEEP domains and criteria
Construct 1: Learner and Learning
Understanding how learners grow and develop and providing learning experiences that support intellectual, social, and personal development.
1.1: Learner Development: The teacher planned instruction based on the learning and developmental levels of all students.
Key indicators include: planning instruction, aligning instruction with student learning needs, using a variety of approaches and resources, providing adaptation of instruction.
1.2: Learner Differences: The teacher recognized and fostered individual differences to establish a positive classroom culture.
Key indicators include: getting to know all students, using that knowledge of students to create a culture of respect, meeting needs of all students.
1.3: Learning Environment: The teacher established a classroom environment conducive to learning.
Key indicators include: collaborating with students, establishing a safe, respectful and academically challenging environment.
Construct 2: Content Knowledge
Understanding the central concepts and structures of the discipline and creating meaningful learning experiences.
2.1: Content Knowledge: The teacher demonstrated a thorough knowledge of content.
Key indicators include: encouraging use of multiple representations, explanations, and a wide variety of experiences building student understanding.
2.2: Innovative Applications of Content Knowledge: The teacher provided a variety of innovative applications of knowledge.
Key indicators include: using problem solving, critical thinking skills and technology, exploring and delivering content through real world application of knowledge, collaborating with colleagues to provide cross-curricular opportunities.
Construct 3: Instructional Practice
Connecting concepts and using differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking and collaborative problem solving.
3.1: Planning for Instruction: The teacher used methods and techniques that are effective in meeting student needs.
Key indicators include: planning rigorous activities, using objectives that align with standards, meeting needs of students.
3.2: Assessment: The teacher used varied assessments to measure learner progress.
Key indicators include: providing opportunities for students to demonstrate learning, using assessment data to inform instruction, providing feedback that encourages students to take responsibility for the learning.
3.3: Instructional Strategies: The teacher delivered comprehensive instruction for students.
Key indicators include: Using a variety of strategies to engage and challenge students, incorporating strategies to differentiate and scaffold instruction, engaging student in higher order thinking skills.
Construct 4: Professional Responsibility
Reflecting on practice and pursuing continuous professional growth, and contributing to the school community through collaboration and leadership.
4.1: Reflection and Continuous Growth: The teacher engaged in reflection and continuous growth.
Key indicators include: engaging in ongoing, purposeful professional development, reflecting on practice and seeking professional development, and analyzing and reflecting on student data to guide instruction.
4.2: Collaboration and Leadership: The teacher participated in collaboration and leadership opportunities.
Key indicators include: collaborating with multiple stakeholders, communicating in a variety of ways, and demonstrating leadership skills.
Rating Levels
KEEP rating levels
Source
Official KEEP source
Source: Kansas State Department of Education, Kansas KEEP Teacher Evaluation Rubrics (December 2013). Verified 2026-06-01. View the official rubric
Rubric facts verified 2026-06-01 against the official source.
Giving feedback on the KEEP
The slow part is the write-up
Aligning observation evidence to every KEEP domain and standard by hand, for every teacher and every visit, is what eats a principal's week. Observation Copilot does that mapping for you.
How Observation Copilot Helps
AI-powered KEEP feedback in seconds
Paste your observation notes. Copilot maps your evidence to the right KEEP domains and drafts structured, rubric-aligned feedback - ready to review and share. Walkthrough notes return a focused single-indicator debrief; full lesson observations return a multi-domain rubric-aligned report.
- Organizes observation notes by the KEEP professional standards
- Generates evidence-based feedback aligned to the Kansas evaluation rubric
- Maps evidence from your notes to specific KEEP indicators
- Creates targeted next steps tied to specific Kansas professional standards
- Reduces post-observation write-up time for Kansas principals
Frequently Asked Questions
KEEP FAQ
- What is the KEEP?
- Kansas statewide teacher evaluation rubric used within the Kansas Educator Evaluation Protocol (KEEP), assessing teacher practice across four constructs and ten components on a four-level performance scale.
- What are the domains of the KEEP?
- The KEEP is organized into 4 domains: Construct 1: Learner and Learning, Construct 2: Content Knowledge, Construct 3: Instructional Practice, and Construct 4: Professional Responsibility.
- How is the KEEP scored?
- Performance is rated on a 4-level scale: Ineffective, Developing, Effective, and Highly Effective.
- What does KEEP stand for?
- KEEP stands for the Kansas Educator Evaluation Protocol.
- Which version of the KEEP rubric is current?
- The current rubric is the Kansas KEEP Teacher Evaluation Rubrics (December 2013), aligned to the Kansas Professional Education Standards and verified against the Kansas State Department of Education source on June 1, 2026.
Used In
States Using KEEP
Related Reading
KEEP Resources for Principals
50 Teacher Observation Feedback Examples (Organized by Framework Domain)
50 specific teacher observation feedback examples organized by framework domain, each tied to evidence and a next step principals can use.
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FFT, T-TESS, Marzano, or Your Own: How Observation Copilot Aligns to Any Framework
Whether you use Danielson FFT, T-TESS, Marzano, or a custom rubric, Observation Copilot aligns feedback to your framework.
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Walkthroughs vs. Formal Observations: When Each One Helps and When It Hurts
Walkthroughs and formal observations serve different purposes. Here's how principals balance both in a coaching cycle that actually grows teachers.
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Writing Better Observation Notes: Tips for Getting the Most Out of AI-Powered Feedback
AI-generated feedback is only as good as your observation notes. Practical tips for writing notes that produce better, more specific results.
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The Post-Observation Conversation: How to Make the 15 Minutes After Feedback Count
Delivering feedback is only half the job. Here's how to structure the post-observation conversation so teachers grow from it.
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