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Using Authentic Assessment in your Hiring Process. David G. Title, Superintendent Bloomfield Public Schools Bloomfield, CT AASPA Annual Conference Hartford, Connecticut October 13, 2009. An Effective Selection System:.
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Using Authentic Assessmentin your Hiring Process David G. Title, Superintendent Bloomfield Public Schools Bloomfield, CT AASPA Annual Conference Hartford, Connecticut October 13, 2009
An Effective Selection System: • Maximizes the probability that the best qualified candidate will be offered the position. • Is Criteria Driven • Is Systematic and Consistent • Is Legal • Is Comprehensive
An Effective Selection System: • Uses well-trained screeners/interviewers • Could be a variety of individual roles • Treats all applicants with respect (first impressions are critical) • Includes appropriate and thorough background checks (not discussed here)
Benefits of an Effective Selection Process • Greatest chance that the most-qualified applicant in the pool has been offered the position • Security of knowing that a criteria-driven system, systematically applied, has the best chance of withstanding legal challenges • Provides a more forceful shield from political challenges • Best Return on Recruiting Investment
Steps in a Comprehensive Selection System: • Identify openings • Identify criteria • Rate applications to identify who is invited to initial in-person screening (Ten minute interview option) • Select & train screening committee members • Set up and conduct the first in-person screening • Identify candidates for second screening, including demonstration lesson, writing and follow up interview.
Steps in a Comprehensive Selection System: • Make hiring decisions • Notify successful candidates by telephone as soon as possible • Notify unsuccessful candidates in writing as soon as positions are filled • Conduct debriefing session with selection team members (what happened and why)
“Yeah, but it takes too long” • Time does matter • Do the whole process but do it quickly • Number of applicants determines how long the process will take • How much time will it take to remediate the problem if you use sloppy hiring practices? • A comprehensive process demonstrates a seriousness of purpose to top candidates
Conditions Necessary for Successful Implementation • Support of the Superintendent • Board of Education Support (no cronies) • Volunteers from among staff and others • A designated leader for each search • See Handout “Duties of the Selection Team Leader”
A Criteria Driven Process • What are the skills and characteristics needed in the ideal candidate for this position? • Usually done by administration • Drives rest of process • Legal protection and good practice • Customized to each position and/or school (not generic) • May be objective or subjective • When you do not select criteria……..a mess! • Activity: Set Criteria for a Position
Assessing Criteria • Use of Rating Sheets by position • Some can be determined by paper screening • Some can be assessed in the interview • Some need authentic assessment, including teaching a demonstration lesson. • Activity: Assessing the criteria
Advantages to Process • There is a system that is consistently applied to all applicants even if decentralized • Individual whims of selection team members are minimized in favor of criteria-based judgments • Clear, established ground rules are easier to follow • YOU ensure the system is followed consistently
Training the Selection Teams • How to conduct an interview • Legal issues in the hiring process • How to write interview questions • Role of the site based team vs. role of the central office & Human Resources • Role of each individual on the team • Establish ground rules such as confidentiality • Voting vs. consensus
Follow Good Interview Procedures • All candidates are asked same set of predetermined questions • Everyone assigned questions and order • Assigned greeter and introducer • Run on time • Make eye contact; take notes; use names; smile • See Handout “The Interview” and “Do’s and Don’ts of Interviewing” • Activity: Advantages/Disadvantages of Interviews
Good Interview Questions • Are relevant to the pre-established criteria for the position • Maximize use of allotted time (non-trivial) • Help distinguish among candidates • Open-ended with no implied correct answers • Provide new information not available elsewhere • Legal (see handout “20 Questions to Avoid”)
Why use Authentic Assessment? • Limitations on paper screening and traditional interviews • Link back to the criteria established for the position • Teachers will never interview with us again after they are hired (probably) • Helps withstand political pressures
Sample of Authentic Assessments • Scenarios • Case studies • Simulations • Evaluate student writing samples (could be sent in advance)
Samples of Authentic Assessments • Video analysis (principals, writing station) • Prepare a talk (principals; advance) • Unit Design (secondary) • In Box activity (principals) • Logistics – the Round Robin • Activity: Share authentic assessments
Why The Demonstration Lesson? • Limits of paper screening and the traditional, structured interview • Interview questions become targeted to specific, observable behaviors • We hire people to teach students, not interview with adults • Local political pressures are more easily withstood
Teaching a Demonstration Lesson • Lesson of your choice • Stay within the time limits (30 min max) • Bring a lesson plan • Tell candidate grade level and number of students • Candidate may call principal or teacher • Process lasts two hours, including writing a reflection on the lesson (explain all parts) • Activity: Share practices with demo lessons
Benefits of an Effective Selection Process • Meaningful involvement of staff and/or others in the school system without ceding too much control • Allows for a decentralized system of hiring while still maintaining control of a quality process • Eye opening experience for participating teachers – Could I do as well? • Most importantly, it gives you the best chance of hiring the best candidate! • You believe the time is worth it; otherwise, adjust!
Contact Information: David G. Title Superintendent of Schools Bloomfield Public Schools Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002 (860) 769-4211 dtitle@blmfld.org www.bloomfieldschools.org