Special Education and Teacher Evaluations

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Special Education and Teacher Evaluations

• Janelle Smith

• Dr. Peter Verona

• Director of Special Services
• Byron CUSD 226
• jsmith_at_byron226.org

• Byron High School Principal
• Byron CUSD 226
• pverona_at_byron226.org

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Getting to know you . . .

• What plan is your district currently using?
• How many years has it been in place?
• What is left to do?
• What are your districts biggest road blocks or
  obstacles?

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Byron School District 226Unit District

• One Elementary School
• (677 Students)
• 1 Principal, 1 Asst. Principal
• One Middle School
• (379 Students)
• 1 Principal, 1 Asst. Principal
• One High School
• (493 Students)
• 1 Principal, 1 Asst. Principal

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Byron 226 Evaluation Plan

• Purpose of Evaluation Plan
• Performance Expectations
• Growth and Development
• Mutual respect and trust
• Teachers and professionals will take
  responsibility for their growth and development
• Environments that facilitate learning
• Reflection and analysis

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Byron 226 Evaluation Plan

• Goals of the Evaluation Plan
• Improve quality of instruction and performance to
  enhance all student learning
• Provide training and support for staff both
  veteran and new
• Create and promote positive attitudes toward the
  value of evaluations and professional growth
• Collect reliable and varied data for making
  employment decisions

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Components of the Summative Evaluation and
Timeline

• Notification Notified in writing within three
  weeks of the start of school
• Pre-Observation Conference Scheduled at a
  mutually convenient time for staff and evaluator
• Observations Informal (10-15 minutes) vs.
  Formal (45 minutes except where class periods are
  shorter)
• Post-Observation Conference Within 10 days of
  each required observation
• Summative Evaluation Report Within 10 days of
  the final observation

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Non-Tenured Cycle

• Will Occur Yearly - Years One and Two
• Participate in the induction academy (Mentor
  Program)
• Includes a minimum of three (3) observations,
  two (formal) of which must be a 45 minute
  minimum. The other observation (informal) has a
  15 minute minimum.

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Non-Tenured Cycle

• Will Occur Yearly - Years Three and Four
• Portfolio that shows completion of a professional
  growth
• Includes a minimum of three (3) observations,
  two (formal) of which must be a 45 minute
  minimum. The other observation (informal) has a
  15 minute minimum.

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Tenured Cycle

• Occurs on a Two Year Cycle
• One Evaluation at least every two years
  Includes a minimum of two (2) observations, one
  of which must be a 45 minute (Formal) minimum .
  The other observation has a 15 minute (Informal)
  minimum.
• Portfolio
• Personal Professional Goal (SMART goal)
• Self-Directed Professional Growth (3 Options)
• District of School Initiatives
• Classroom Based Inquiry or Masters Degree
• Doctorate/National Board Certification

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Informal Observations

• Require no scheduling or pre-conference
• Not subject to a minimum time requirement
• No forms are required on the part of the teacher
• Evaluator must provide the teacher an opportunity
  to have an in person discussion following the
  observation
• Comments from the informal must be formalized
  using the Teacher Observation Form in order to be
  used in the Summative Report

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Formal Observations

• Must include a pre-conference and a post
  conference
• Teachers required to fill out a planning
  conference form and a reflective conference form
• All formals will take place three weeks after
  school has started and four weeks before the end
  of school
• Formals cannot be within 10 school days of each
  other unless the teacher waives this limitation
• Exact date of observation will be mutually agreed
  upon
• Reflective (post) conference must take place
  within 10 days after the observation
• All classroom observations for purposes of
  evaluation shall be conducted openly with full
  knowledge of the teacher.

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Specialist's Rubrics

• Teacher
• Therapy (Occupational Therapist, Speech and
  Language Pathologists, Physical Therapist)
• School Psychologists
• School Social Workers
• School Counselors
• School Nurses
• Medial Specialists (School Librarians)

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Your Turn . . .

• What are your biggest road blocks or obstacles??

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Resources and Links

• Helpful Documents
• Teacher Evaluation Timeline provided by Lee/Ogle
  ROE provided
• District Decision Making Guide provided
• Byron CUSD 226 Evaluation Plan
• http//www.isbe.net/PEAC/default.htm
• ISBE Non-Regulatory Guidance on PERA SB 7