Before you can write fair review criteria, you need a clear answer to what’s actually being measured. That answer should rest on state and regulatory alignment (COMAR licensing rules and Maryland EXCELS baseline standards), the Maryland Core Knowledge Areas, and role-specific duties — a Lead Teacher’s planning responsibilities look different from an Assistant Teacher’s support routines. Criteria should focus on directly observable behaviors, not personality traits, and stay limited to four to six high-impact competencies per cycle so staff aren’t overwhelmed.