Louisiana Teacher Advancement Program

1. Louisiana Teacher Advancement Program An Overview Presentation Sheila Talamo, State Executive Director Vicky Condalary, Susan Couch, Laurie Doucet, Sue Way, State Executive Master Teachers

2. Overview Meeting Agenda • Introductions and Purpose • TAP Overview: Four Critical Elements • Ongoing Professional Development: Cluster Meetings and Follow-up Support • TAP Strengths and Challenges • State Support for TAP • School Commitment, Responsibilities, and Next Steps • Questions and Answers

3. What is TAP?

4. Teacher Advancement Program “The single most important factor in determining the achievement level of a student is the quality of the classroom teacher.” • Comprehensive reform • Adaptability to diverse schools • Career choices and advancement • Teacher Quality • Student Achievement

5. Four Critical Elements of TAP 1. Multiple Career Paths 2. Ongoing, Applied Professional Growth 3. Instructionally Focused Accountability 4. Performance-based Compensation

6. Four Critical Elements of TAP 1. Multiple Career Paths 2. Ongoing, Applied Professional Growth 3. Instructionally Focused Accountability 4. Performance-based Compensation

7. Multiple Career Paths Critical Element #1 • Master Teacher: Share instructional leadership; field test strategies; model lessons; provide classroom support; plan staff development; teach; lead cluster meetings; conduct peer evaluations; plan cluster group activities; held to higher performance standards (typically earns $5000 to $7,000addendum) • Mentor Teacher: Teach; help to lead cluster groups, ; conduct peer evaluations; provide classroom support, model lessons; works with master teacher to lead professional development (typically earns $2000 to $3,000 addendum) • Career Teacher: Teach; collaborate with colleagues; team teach; professional development activities

8. Four Critical Elements of TAP 1. Multiple Career Paths 2. Ongoing, Applied Professional Growth 3. Instructionally Focused Accountability 4. Performance-based Compensation

9. Cluster Groups of Professional Learning Critical Element #2 • During the School Day • Grade alike or Subject alike groups • Led by the Master Teachers • Supported by the Mentor Teachers • Based on that cluster group’s need • Support and follow-up by Master/Mentor Teacher • Evaluate impact on students

10. Four Critical Elements of TAP 1. Multiple Career Paths 2. Ongoing, Applied Professional Growth 3. Instructionally Focused Accountability 4. Performance-based Compensation

11. Instructionally-Focused Accountability Critical Element #3 Planning Instruction Instructional Plans Student Work Assessment Implementing Instruction Standards and ObjectivesMotivating Students Presenting Instructional Content Lesson Structure and Pacing Activities and Materials Questioning Academic Feedback Grouping Students Teacher Content Knowledge Teacher Knowledge of Students Thinking Problem Solving Learning Environment ExpectationsManaging Student Behavior Environment Respectful Culture Responsibilities Staff Development Instructional Supervision School ResponsibilitiesReflecting on Teaching

12. Four Critical Elements of TAP 1. Multiple Career Paths 2. Ongoing, Applied Professional Growth 3. Instructionally Focused Accountability 4. Performance-based Compensation

13. Determined by Approved Testing Determined by Evaluations Using TAP Rubrics and Responsibility Survey School-Wide Student Value-Added Achievement Teacher Skills, Knowledge, and Responsibilities Individual Student Value-Added Achievement gains 50% 30% Performance Based Compensation Critical Element #4 20% For teacher in state-tested subjects

14. Determined by Approved Testing Determined by Evaluations Using TAP Rubrics and Responsibility Survey Teacher Skills, Knowledge, and Responsibilities School-Wide Student Value-Added Achievement 50% 50% Performance Based Compensation Critical Element #4 For teacher in non-tested subjects

15. Four Critical Elements of TAP 1. Multiple Career Paths 2. Ongoing, Applied Professional Growth 3. Instructionally Focused Accountability 4. Performance-based Compensation

16. What drives TAP is what happens in: The Cluster Meetings (Critical Element #2, the Ongoing, Applied Professional Development) (andhowit happens.)

17. Steps for Effective Learning Step 1 - IDENTIFY Step 2 - OBTAIN Step 3 - DEVELOP Step 4 - APPLY Step 5 - EVALUATE Determine the Impact

18. Identify student needs based on data – set goals Master teachers obtain new strategies, field test, and model in cluster Teachers develop the new learning for their own classrooms Teachers apply the new learning with support Steps for Effective Learning Evaluate strategy effectiveness (student work) Determine the Impact

19. Cluster Group Meeting: Setting Goals based on Student Needs Step 1

20. Cluster Group Meeting: Obtaining New Learning –Presenting researched based, field tested, strategy that can be used in all subject areas. The MT is actually using the students to demonstrate the new learning for the teachers. Step 2

21. Cluster Group Meeting: Developing the New Learning – Master Teacher models for teachers the use of the vocabulary strategy and provides the critical attributes Step 3

22. Cluster Group Meeting: Making Plans to Apply the New Learning – Cluster time is planning time, so the teacher determines how to implement the strategy in his/her classroom, with his/her subject. Step 4

23. Cluster Group Meeting: Evaluating Strategy Effectiveness – The teacher provides student results to determine what worked with which students, changes made, and future plans. Step 5

24. Ongoing, Applied Professional Growth Critical Element #2 Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Identify problem or need. Evaluate impact on student learning Obtain new teacher learning . Develop new teacher learning Apply new teacher learning Measurable in student outcomes and addresses student learning Support IN THE CLASSROOM with demonstration, modeling, practice, team teaching, and peer coaching with subsequent analysis of student work. Apply IN THE CLASSROOM as evidenced in observation, peer coaching, and self-reflection applied to student work Evidence includes student assessment (post-test) aligned with data analysis and the new teaching strategies. Aligned to student need; formatted for classroom application; using credible sources and proven student growth

25. Integrity of the Model Teacher Quality Student Achievement

26. Strengths of TAP • Opportunities for teachers to step into leadership roles • Increased collaboration among and/or between grade levels, content areas and specials areas • Narrow-focus, data-driven, teacher-led, job- embedded Professional Development (during the school day) • Follow-up support with high expectation for implementation • Master teacher and Mentor teacher positions support accountability because jobs are from year to year

27. Strengths of TAP • Opportunities for self reflection at all levels • Solid accountability with support on the front end • Performance Pay considers BOTHteacher behavior and student growth • Rewards both individual AND school wide efforts • Targets “value added” rather than “attainment scores” (how much a student grows) • Empowers teachers and administrators to make instructional decisions as a team

28. Challenges of TAP • Limited financial resources to support districts and schools with TAP implementation • Resistance to Change • Teaching becomes public and less isolated • Instructional leadership becomes shared and less single control • Implementation that demands fidelity to the model • Teacher commitment • Leader commitment • Recruitment and selection of high quality master and mentor teachers

29. State Commitment and Support • Network of TAP and Pre-TAP Schools • State and NIET Professional Development • State Executive Director • State Executive Master Teachers • State 8(g) Funds

30. Pre-TAP Schools in Louisiana 9 School Districts 2 Charters 1 Special School • Caddo (2) • Delhi Charter (1) • Desoto (4) • Iberia (2) • LSVI (1) • New Vision Learning Academy (1) • Rapides (2) • Recovery School District (9) • St. Bernard (2) • St Helena (2) • St. Mary (2) • Terrebonne (1)

31. TAP Schools in Louisiana 10 School Districts • Algiers (9) • Ascension (2) • Caddo (1) • Desoto (2) • East Baton Rouge (2) • Jefferson (2) • Natchitoches (1) • Rapides (1) • Recovery School District (6) • St. Bernard (2)

32. State and NIET Professional Development • Preparing for Success in a TAP School (PSTS) • Preparing to Become a Certified TAP Evaluator (PBCTE) • Becoming a Certified TAP Evaluator (BCTE) • Master Teacher Networking Meetings • TAP Summer Institute (TSI) • TAP National Conference

33. State Executive Master Teachers • Experience and Commitment • Vicky Condalary • Susan Couch • Laurie Doucet • Sue Way • Site Visits: Technical Assistance, Coaching, and Program Review • Master Teacher Networking Meetings

34. School Commitment, Responsibilities, and Next Steps • Study TAP … Visit TAP Schools • Faculty Vote • TAP National Application • TAP National Conference • Recruit and Select Master and Mentor Teachers • School Leadership Training in Summer – PSTS and PBCTE • Prepare for hard work and SUCCESS

35. Louisiana Teacher Advancement Program (TAP) A chance to “think out of the box”! sheila.talamo@la.gov

36. “Pulling together is the fuel that allows common people to obtain uncommon results!” Questions and Answers