Student achievement is our focus.

1. Student achievement is our focus. The quality of the teacher has the greatest impact on student achievement.

2. Eagle County Schools Serves the Vail and Eagle River Valleys in the Central Rockies • Including ski resorts of Vail and Beaver Creek 6,344 students in Fall 2011 • Hispanic: 49.9% • English Language Learners: 37.3% • Percent Free/Reduced Lunch: 42.5% 18 Schools/Campuses • 1 Preschool Center • 9 Elementary Schools • 3 Middle Schools • 2 Traditional High Schools, 1 Alternative High School, 1 ESL High School • 1 Ski & Snowboard Academy (5-12) • 1 K-8 Public School • 1 K-8 Charter School 890 employees 497 certified teachers

3. Timeline of Implementation

4. ECS Demographic & CSAP Trends2002-2011 * CSAP Data Reflect % Proficient or Advanced Across All Grades

5. Poverty & Non Poverty CSAP GAP TrendsReading2008-2011 31% 29% 29% 35%

6. Poverty & Non Poverty CSAP GAP TrendsMath2008-2011 24% 25% 25% 24%

7. Poverty & Non Poverty CSAP GAP TrendsWriting2008-2011 34% 32% 34% 34%

8. Teacher Effectiveness in ECS SY09-10

9. Teacher Effectiveness in ECS SY10-11

10. Teacher Effectiveness in ECS SY11-12

11. Elements of Reform Effort Multiple Career Paths Ongoing, Applied Professional Growth Instructionally-Focused Accountability Performance-Based Compensation

12. Multiple Career Paths 30% release 30% teaching 100% teaching 70% teaching 70% release Master teachers – 1:14-16 Mentor teachers – 1:4-6 • Strengths & Opportunities • Leadership opportunities for teachers • Those practicing the craft (well) are leading others who are learning • Challenges & Barriers • Supply of quality candidates • “Us” vs “them” attitude (non-participating teachers)

13. Ongoing, Applied Professional Growth Cluster Groups (aka Professional Learning Communities) • Focus on individual student, teacher and school achievement • Account for grade-level, subject or departmental differences • Leadership is provided by both the Mentor and Master teachers • Function most effectively with 4-6 teachers participating • Meet a minimum of 60 minutes weekly (during contract time) • Strengths & Opportunities • Teacher collaboration – intense learning about practice • Creates team culture in building and across district • Challenges & Barriers • Cost • Effective processes for effective collaboration (“show and tell” vs deep learning)

14. Instructionally-Focused Accountability & Performance Compensation • Individual Teacher Evaluation Scores • Weighted, final score (master and principal evaluations) • Annual salary increase • Student Achievement Index • TCAP, ACT, NWEA-MAP • Annual bonus • Strengths & Opportunities • Evaluation and reflection typically lead to professional growth – better teaching • Financial incentives in an industry atypical in terms of salary structure • Challenges & Barriers • Cost • Qualified evaluators • Student-to-teacher linkages

15. Our advice . . . • Relationships and collaboration are key • Understand the motivations of all stakeholder groups • Just start • Anticipate roadblocks • Think and plan for all that you can, and you’ll be forgiven for most of what’s unanticipated • Obvious issues that appear unanticipated cause doubt and mistrust • Commit to continual evolution • You’re never done Discussion

16. Contact Information Dr. Sandra Smyser Superintendent sandra.smyser@eagleschools.net @SandraSmyser Traci Wodlinger Director of Professional Development traci.wodlinger@eagleschools.net