Despite the fact that teacher evaluation has long been a factor in the areas of promotion and salary increase, the proposed statewide implementation of a teacher assessment plan (the Mississippi Teacher Assessment Instrument) has aroused anxiety in Mississippi's educational environment. It is therefore critical that principals actively promote a collaborative process and collegial relationship between the administration and the teaching staff, encouraging teachers to ask for help in improving performance, and providing a process for obtaining that help. Four specific conditions are necessary for maintaining such collegial relations. First, evaluative instruments must be fair and objective and must be fairly administered. Second, teachers must be able to perceive that the objectives of the evaluation process are aimed at improving the instructional program as well as teacher performance. Third, teachers must believe that identification of weaknesses will lead to help in strengthening those areas where weaknesses exist. Fourth, teachers must be involved in the process. Principals must accept the responsibility of knowing and using well whatever instrument is employed, and school districts must assume responsibility for proper training of administrators. (IW)