Ohio Teacher Evaluation System (OTES 2.0)
Ohio's statewide teacher evaluation rubric, used within the Ohio Teacher Evaluation System 2.0 (OTES 2.0) to assess and support teacher professional growth across six domains and multiple components on a four-level scale.
The OTES 2.0 is organized into 6 domains, 15 criteria, and a 4-level rating scale.
Mandated statewide in Ohio for all public school districts.
Domains and Criteria
The OTES 2.0 domains and criteria
Focus for Learning
1: Use of High-Quality Student Data
2: Connections to prior and future learning
3: Connections to state standards and district priorities
Knowledge of Students
1: Planning instruction for the whole child
Lesson Delivery
1: Communication with students
2: Monitoring student understanding
3: Student-centered learning
Classroom Environment
1: Classroom routines and procedures
2: Classroom climate and cultural competency
Assessment of Student Learning
1: Use of assessments
2: Evidence of student learning
Professional Responsibilities
1: Communication and collaboration with families
2: Communication and collaboration with colleagues
3: District policies and professional responsibilities
4: Professional learning
Rating Levels
OTES 2.0 rating levels
Ineffective
This rating indicates the teacher fails to demonstrate minimum performance expectations. A rating of Ineffective indicates the teacher consistently fails to demonstrate competency. The teacher is not effectively meeting the needs of his or her students. The teacher requires immediate assistance through ongoing intensive support.
Developing
This rating indicates the teacher is working to utilize his or her growing knowledge and skills. A rating of Developing indicates the teacher demonstrates competency in some of the teaching standards but needs improvement in others. The teacher attempts to meet the needs of the whole group. The Developing teacher is in the process of refining his or her skills and abilities. The teacher strives to improve his or her instructional and professional practice. The teacher may be making progress, but performance requires ongoing professional support for necessary growth to occur.
Skilled
This rating is the rigorous and expected performance level. A rating of Skilled indicates the teacher consistently meets expectations for performance and fully demonstrates competency in most of the teaching standards. The teacher addresses the needs of groups of students. The Skilled teacher integrates knowledge, skills and abilities needed for effective classroom instruction. The teacher consistently strives to improve his or her instructional and professional practice. The Skilled teacher demonstrates purposefulness, flexibility and consistency.
Accomplished
This rating is the highest level of achievement. A rating of Accomplished indicates the teacher consistently meets expectations for performance and fully demonstrates competency in most or all of the teaching standards. The teacher addresses the needs of individual students. The Accomplished teacher uses a strong foundation of knowledge, skills and abilities to innovate and enhance their classroom, building and potentially the profession. The teacher consistently strives to improve his or her instructional and professional practice and contributes to the school, building or district through the development and support of colleagues. The Accomplished teacher is a leader who empowers and influences others.
Source
Official OTES 2.0 source
Source: Ohio State Board of Education, Teacher Performance Evaluation Rubric (OTES 2.0), FINAL February 2026 (FINAL February 2026). Verified 2026-06-01. View the official rubric
Rubric facts verified 2026-06-01 against the official source.
Giving feedback on the OTES 2.0
The slow part is the write-up
Aligning observation evidence to every OTES 2.0 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 OTES 2.0 feedback in seconds
Paste your observation notes. Copilot maps your evidence to the right OTES 2.0 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 four OTES 2.0 domains and components
- Generates evidence-based feedback aligned to the Ohio performance rubric
- Suggests ratings across the four OTES levels based on observed evidence
- Creates targeted next steps tied to specific OTES 2.0 components
- Reduces post-observation write-up time for Ohio principals
Frequently Asked Questions
OTES 2.0 FAQ
- What is the Ohio Teacher Evaluation System (OTES 2.0)?
- Ohio's statewide teacher evaluation rubric, used within the Ohio Teacher Evaluation System 2.0 (OTES 2.0) to assess and support teacher professional growth across six domains and multiple components on a four-level scale.
- What are the domains of the OTES 2.0?
- The OTES 2.0 is organized into 6 domains: Focus for Learning, Knowledge of Students, Lesson Delivery, Classroom Environment, Assessment of Student Learning, and Professional Responsibilities.
- What are the OTES ratings?
- Teachers are rated on a 4-level performance scale: Ineffective, Developing, Skilled, and Accomplished.
- What does OTES stand for?
- OTES stands for the Ohio Teacher Evaluation System.
- Which version of OTES is current?
- The current rubric is the OTES 2.0 Teacher Performance Evaluation Rubric (FINAL February 2026 edition), verified against the Ohio State Board of Education source on June 1, 2026.
Used In
States Using OTES 2.0
Related Reading
OTES 2.0 Resources for Principals
50 Teacher Observation Feedback Examples (Organized by Framework Domain)
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Walkthroughs vs. Formal Observations: When Each One Helps and When It Hurts
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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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