Effective Teachers Core Initiative Update

1. Effective Teachers Core Initiative Update HISD Board of Education Workshop October 28, 2010 HISD Executive Sponsors: Julie Baker, Chief Major Projects Officer Ann Best, Chief Human Resources Officer

2. Agenda Update on Appraisal System Design Process Overview of www.HISDeffectiveteachers.org

3. Design Process Overview Stage I: Process and Criteria Development (DAC and SDMCs) Public Engagement Stage II: Tools and Instrument Development (Working Groups) Stage III: Board Approval

4. Stage 1 (Development of Performance Criteria and Appraisal Process) is divided into four cycles. Cycle 1 (September 27 to October 18 – complete): Development of performance criteria types Cycle 2 (October 25 to November 18 – in progress): Development of specific performance criteria Cycle 3 (November 29 to December 16): Development of appraisal process Cycle 4 (January 31 to February 7): Revisions to performance criteria and appraisal process, based on input received during the public comment period

5. At the start of Cycle 1, SDMCs were asked to submit recommendations on the types of criteria that should be considered when assessing teacher performance. SDMCs were provided with a Feedback Submission form which asked them to respond to the following questions: 1. Based on the feedback from SDMC members at your school, please select the types of criteria your SDMC believes should be included in the teacher appraisal system. Please list/describe any additional criteria that may not be represented by those listed below. Instruction Criteria ____ Planning Criteria ____ Student Learning Criteria ___ Engagement Criteria ____ Classroom Environment Criteria ____ Professionalism Criteria _____ Commitment Criteria ____ Other: ___________________________________________________________________________ 2. Please describe any additional questions or concerns that arose during your SDMC’s discussions that you would like to communicate to the Effective Teachers Core Initiative Team.

6. A majority of SDMCs selected the types of criteria that were offered as examples. • 154 SDMCs selected all seven categories (61% of committees) • 53 SDMCs suggested additional types of criteria: • Technology • Parents’ Involvement • Professional Development

7. Based upon the SDMCs’ input and the guidance provided by state law and the guiding design principles for the new appraisal system, the DAC agreed to use the criteria types listed below and to categorize them as follows. Student Learning Criteria Instruction Criteria Planning Criteria Engagement Criteria Classroom Environment Criteria Professionalism Criteria Commitment Criteria Parent Collaboration Criteria Professional Development Criteria Student Performance: Criteria reflecting a teacher’s impact on student learning Instructional Practice: Criteria reflecting teacher’s skills and knowledge that drive student learning in the classroom Professional Expectations: Criteria reflecting a core set responsibilities for teachers, which are objective and measurable

8. On October 25 and 26, SDMC representatives met to begin Cycle 2 to develop specific performance criteria. • At regional meetings on October 25 and 26, SDMC representatives met to obtain information and instructions for developing specific performance criteria. SDMCs were provided with: • Key questions to help guide their SDMC in developing the specific criteria under each category • Guiding principles to help inform the quantity and quality of criteria to be recommended by the SDMCs under each category. • The guiding principles are derived from a review of best practices across the country in teacher appraisal along with the design principles for the new system • Examples of detailed criteria from other systems • Instructions on how to submit SDMC Cycle 2 recommendations on-line • By November 11, all SDMCs will submit their recommended performance criteria online. • At their meeting on November 18, the DAC will convene to review the performance criteria recommended by the SDMCs and to come to agreement on a set of specific criteria.

9. Next month, five working groups will begin meeting to develop the tools and metrics needed to implement the appraisal process and performance criteria developed by the DAC and SDMCs. Measures of Student Learning – Identify appropriate measures for assessing student learning outcomes for purposes of teacher appraisal based upon the performance criteria identified by the SDMCs and the DAC, tools and instruments needed for implementation, a process for implementing such measures over time, and the technical assistance required for teachers and administrators to implement the system with fidelity. Instructional Practice – Develop the indicators to measure the “Instructional Practice” performance criteria developed by the DAC and SDMCs and establish a rubric that delineates performance standards at each level along with tools to aid in classroom observation. Professional Expectations – Develop the indicators to measure the “Professional Expectations” performance criteria developed by the DAC and SDMCs, and establish a rubric that delineates performance standards at each level. Process and Synthesis – Develop the set of rules and procedures under which teachers will be appraised, based on the appraisal process developed by the SDMCs and DAC. This effort will include developing the timing, methods, and tools for gathering and providing feedback to teachers. Additionally, this working group will provide feedback on the rating scale and process for synthesizing teachers’ performance scores across various criteria into a final effectiveness rating. Teacher Support and Development –Develop a set of guidelines outlining the types of support at each performance level that teachers should receive as well as the type of development activities that all teachers should engage in and any tools to facilitate those activities, based upon effectiveness ratings.

10. Agenda Update on Appraisal System Design Process Overview of www.HISDeffectiveteachers.org

11. On October 15, the Effective Teachers Core Initiative team launched www.HISDeffectiveteachers.org to be a one-stop resource for stakeholders to find information and give input.

12.      Visitors to www.HISDeffectiveteachers.org can obtain a variety of information and give their input on the core initiative. Download presentations from DAC and SDMC meetings Review and provide input on content developed by the DAC and SDMCs View a calendar of upcoming events Access news items related to the core initiative Sign up to receive regular email updates on the core initiative