Mentoring, Professional Standards, and Standard Certification Proposed Regulations

1. Mentoring, Professional Standards, and Standard Certification Proposed Regulations August 7, 2013

2. Background All proposed regulatory changes are part of a broader effort focused on addressing the complete talent lifecycle of an educator Previously Proposed Regulations • Evaluation: Initial TEACHNJ regulations - Aug 2012 • Licensure and PD: ETTF regulations - Oct of 2012 • Evaluation: Detailed TEACHNJ regulations – Mar 2013 • Rec & Prep: Teacher prep regulations – June 2013 Today’s proposed regulations focus on mentoring, professional standards, and standard certification

3. Agenda

4. Proposed Mentoring Regulations: OverviewandRationale This initial phase of regulations is designed to strengthen supports for all teachers new to a district Impetus for change is to align with: • TEACH NJ requirements/language • Recently adopted professional development regulations • Research and best practices Proposed changes reflect initial set of revisions: • Specifybaseline supports for all non-tenured teachers (not just novice) • Maintain accountability but reduce district reporting burden • Build in flexibility for district design and implementation • Update the vocabulary and organization of current regulations Key areas addressed in proposed regulations: • Mentoring supports, including supports for non-tenured teachers new to a district • Mentor selection • Mentor training • District implementation and accountability (including mentor payment process)

5. 1. Mentoring Supports The proposed regulations expand supports to all first-year, non-tenured teachers

6. 2. Mentor Selection Proposed changes to mentor selection criteria are primarily designed to align with TEACHNJ and ensure currency of mentor knowledge *No major changes to other criteria (e.g. mentors must be certified, understand social and workplace norms of district and community, and understand resources and opportunities in district)

7. 3. Mentor Training Proposed regulations specify content areas to improve consistency of mentor training

8. 4. District Implementation and Accountability Proposed regulations address role of school improvement panel in mentoring program implementation and standardize mentor payment process

9. 4. District Implementation and Accountability (continued) Proposed regulations streamline plan creation, approval process and reporting requirements *These proposed changes are directionally aligned with the recommendations from the Education Transformation Task Force (ETTF)

10. Agenda

11. NJ Professional Teaching Standards: Introduction We propose to update our professional teaching standards - the knowledge, skills and dispositions that teachers need in order to practice responsibly • Impetus for change • Update previous standards, which are 10 years old • Implement recommendation from the 2012 NJ Transformation Task Force that standards should reflect new national standards •  Align with cooperative national effort that created the revised InTASC “Model Core Teaching Standards” (released in April, 2011) • Align standards with all parts of our effectiveness system – evaluation practice instruments and pre-service accreditation standards “These Model Core Teaching Standards articulate what effective teaching and learning looks like in a transformed public education system – one that empowers every learner to take ownership of their learning, that emphasizes the learning content and application of knowledge and skill to real world problems, that values the differences each learner brings to the learning experience, and leverages rapidly changing learning environments by recognizing the possibilities they bring to maximize learning and engage learners.” (InTASC Model Core Teaching Standards, CCSSO, 2011)

12. NJ Professional Teaching Standards: Overview Professional standards for teachers provide a foundation for pre-service programs, mentoring programs, teacher evaluation practice instruments and professional learning opportunities

13. Updated Standards: Key Themes The key themes that run throughout the standards emphasize essential practices for improved achievement of all students

14. Agenda

15. Evaluation of Provisional Teachers Proposed regulations align the provisional certification evaluation process to align with new TEACHNJ evaluation observation protocols