Software to Support the NC Educator Evaluation System

1. Software to Support the NC Educator Evaluation System WRESA Leadership Conference June 29, 2010 Jean M. Williams Vice President Research and Evaluation McREL

2. Future-Ready Students for the 21st Century The guiding mission of the North Carolina State Board of Education is that every public school student will graduate from high school, globally competitive for work and postsecondary education and prepared for life in the 21st century.

3. Goals for NC Schools • Globally Competitive Students • 21st Century Professionals • Healthy and Responsible Schools • Leadership for Innovation • 21st Century Systems

4. Administrator Education Programs Ed.D. Teacher Education Programs Administrator Education Programs M.S.A. Teacher Evaluation System School Executive Evaluation System Superintendent Evaluation System

5. Software Contract June 16, 2010 : NC Department of Public Instruction executed a contract with McREL to provide access to software to support the teacher and principal evaluation process for every teacher, principal and assistant principal in NC.

6. Focus of Presentation To provide information about access to software, resources available as this is rolled out throughout the state, and how to get help during the process if needed. To provide a quick look as the software if time permits.

7. Gaining Access to the Software • NCDPI’s Information Technology staff provide basic information to McREL regarding districts, schools, and assignments of staff. (Initial data file has been received.) • NCDPI sends McREL the name and contact information for a single point of contact regarding software use. • McREL inventories and organizes data and communicates with districts’ single point of contact about how to deal with missing data and schedule for submission.

8. Gaining Access to the Software (continued) • McREL receives complete and accurate data file (Excel spreadsheet) from district single point of contact. • McREL and Media-X set up software access for school and district staff members. • McREL notifies district single point of contact that access is available. • District staff access software. • HelpDesk availability during extended business hours (about 7 to 7).

9. HelpDesk Lisa Maxfield 303-632-5561 lmaxfield@mcrel.org Lisa and her staff are first line of defense for schools.

10. Software Training Conducted by McREL to Date • June 22 – Alamance County • June 23 – Buncombe County • June 24 – Winston Salem/Forsyth County • June 25 – NCDPI • June 30 – Asheville-Biltmore Tech. • One or more sessions to be arranged through DPI

11. Software Training to Be Conducted by NCDPI • NCDPI staff members will arrange for statewide training to begin in late summer. • Roll-out plan is currently being developed. • McREL will support NCDPI to a limited extent through on-site and web-based training.

12. Frequently Asked Questions Who owns the data? NCDPI, as the contracting agency, officially owns the data. They are granting access to the software to the districts, who control who has access to the data. At the end of each school year, NCDPI needs to be able to download the Summary Rating Sheets for each person evaluated in order to prepare reports for the NCSBE and the federal government. It is possible that this will be handled through “report writer” so that only aggregate data will be downloaded. That is still under consideration.

13. Frequently Asked Questions Can we transfer data from one site to another? Yes. This is made easier by the use of unique identification numbers for teachers and other staff members. The system allows a principal to transfer records for teachers and a superintendent to transfer records for a principal between and among schools and districts within the state.

14. Frequently Asked Questions Who manages the user ids and passwords, and how are they integrated with the NC ID? McREL sets up the user ids and passwords in order to provide access to the software. Users are asked to create a new password the first time the login. The NC ID is the link for all records in the system. It will be used when employees transfer from site to site and when records need to be updated.

15. Frequently Asked Questions Who is the system administrator and how will access be provided? McREL will administer the system and will provide appropriate administrative privileges to school and district staff members.

16. Frequently Asked Questions What is the cost structure for modifying the system if needed?It is based on the type of modifications needed and the amount of time they would take.

17. Frequently Asked Questions How are changes in personnel information communicated to the system? • The district person who has administrative privileges will be able to make some changes. • Some changes will need to be made by McREL. • Some changes will be made by uploading data from NCDPI.

18. Frequently Asked Questions What data will automatically be reported to NCDPI or the NCSBE or other groups? NCDPI has indicated that they need information to report to the federal government on the number of effective and highly effective teachers in each school and district. They may also request customized reports in order to address the information needs of the NCSBE. They do not need the permission of the LEAs to access these data because NCDPI is the licensee.

19. Frequently Asked Questions Can I use this software on my iPad?Yes.  The software can be accessed via any compatible web browser.  This would include Internet Explorer, Firefox and Safari.  The iPad has the equivalent of the Safari browser, and should be able to use any application that is included in this software.

20. For additional information: Dr. Jean M. Williams Vice President, Research and Evaluation McREL 4601 DTC Boulevard Denver, CO 80124 P: (303)632-5627 E-mail: jmwilliams@mcrel.org