How may teacher evaluation have an impact on professional development? A multilevel analysis

• The effect of the evaluation system on professional development is limited.
• Teachers with limited teacher experience report more effects.
• The usefulness of the feedback is a crucial factor.
• Instructional leadership and professional development are positively related.
• A positive attitude of the principal is also important.

Teacher evaluation systems play an important role in teachers' professional development. This study examines which components of an evaluation system are related to the effects of the evaluation system on professional development from a teachers' perspective. Components such as leadership characteristics, the purpose of evaluation and features of the evaluation system are included in the study. Data regarding a representative sample of 1983 teachers from 65 Flemish schools were collected by questionnaire. The outcomes of multilevel analyses suggest that limited experience (<5 years) and useful feedback are positively related to outcomes of the teacher evaluation system on professional development.