Kankakee School District #111

Performance Evaluation Plan

Table of Contents

Evaluation Committee Process and Members…………………………………….………..…..3

Section 1: Introduction and Overview……………………………….………..….………..…..3

Section 2: Seven Common Themes, Beliefs and Commitments…………………………….…6

Section 3: Evaluation Instruments for Providers…………………………………………….…6

Section 4: Professional Practice Levels of Performance……………………………………….7

Section 5: Evaluation Summative Rating System…………...... …..7

Section 6: Roles of Evaluators and Teachers in the Evaluation Process..……………………...8

Section 7: Glossary……………………………………………………………….…….………8

Section 8: Performance Evaluation Process……………………………………………..……12

Observation Documentation and Conference Steps………………………….…..…...14

Professional Development Plans and Remediation Plan…………...………….….…..17

Guide for Creating a Professional Development Plan…………………….....………..18

Guide for Creating a Remediation Plan……………………………………..……..….19

Phase-In Process for Kankakee……………………………………………….……….21

Section 9: RIF & Recall Teacher Groupings…………..…………………………….…….…..22

Appendix: Forms

Pre-Conference Form (Optional)…………………………………….………………………..24

Conversation Starters (Optional)………………………………….…………………………..26

Reflective Conversation Form (Optional)……………………….…………………………....27

Midpoint Conference Form……………………………………………………………………28

Performance Evaluation Summative Form for Non-Tenured Teachers…………………....…29

Performance Evaluation Summative Form for Tenured Teachers……………………….....…30

SMART Goals…………………………………………………………………………………35

SMART Goal Form…………………………………………………………………..38

Evidence of Completion of Goals ………………………………………………..….36

SMART Goal Form – Sample 1……………………………………………………...37

SMART Goal Form – Sample 2……..…………………………………………….…38

Suggested Forms of Evidence.………………………………………………………………..39

Evidence Tag (Optional)……………………………………………………………………...40

Professional Development Plan Form……………………..……………………………….…41

Remediation Plan Form………………………………………………………...……….……43

References:

PERA Statute:

PERA Implementation Guidance from ISBE:

Growth Through Learning: ISBE’s FAQs on PERA:

Senate Bill 7 statute:

Performance Evaluation Advisory Council

EVALUATION COMMITTEE PROCESS and MEMBERS

The Teacher Evaluation Instrument Revision Committee (TEIRC), which included leadership of the Kankakee Federation of Teachers staff and school administration, developed this Teacher Evaluation Plan in 2011 and 2012. The development process included ongoing communication with certified staff and professional development of both certified staff and administration in order to be able to implement the plan with fidelity and transparency during the 2012-13 school year. Revisions were made in the 2013-14 school year by mutual consent.

Original Members of the Teacher Evaluation Instrument Committee:

Lisa Brown, Jeff Cox, Priscilla Dwyer, George Harris,Chuck Hensley, Michele Keiser, Mary Kilbride, Greg Merrill, Linda Mitchell, Kathy Patchett, Matt Rusek, Sandy Schario, Christy Strole, and Beth Yacobi.

Kankakee School District #111 is grateful for the work of this committee. The committee will gather feedback and revise the Performance Evaluation Tools and this manual as needed, together with administrators and teachers.

Section 1: INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW

Quality performance evaluation is a collaborative, supportive effort. The purpose is not to inspect and criticize but to help teachers hone their craft so that our students learn more, faster and better. This requires mutual trust. Just as students improve when they have a trusting relationship with their teacher, teachers improve when they have a positive, trusting relationship with their evaluator. It is therefore the evaluators’ responsibility to approach evaluation in a positive, helpful and supportive manner, and the teachers’ responsibility to approach evaluation with the intention to improve instruction. If the evaluator is critical and the teacher is defensive, there is less chance of improvement of outcomes for our students. Healthy teamwork, where the evaluator is open and willing to help and the teacher is open and willing to improve, improves the chances for success for all involved.

The Kankakee Performance Evaluation Plan focuses on evidence collected on the four domains of teaching as set forth in Enhancing Professional Practice: A Framework for Teaching, 2nd Edition, by Charlotte Danielson (see description below). The TEIRC recognizes the role student growth plays in the evaluation process. The Committee reviewed recent legislation enacted by the State of Illinois calling for student growth to be included in our teacher evaluation by 2015.

At this time, student growth is not part of the Kankakee Performance Evaluation Plan. Pursuant to the Performance Evaluation Revision Act, during the 2013-14 school year, our PERA joint committee has developed the rules for measuring growth and for how growth will be factored into teacher and provider evaluations. During the 2014-15 school year, our plan will be piloted. During the 2015-16 school year, the new student growth model will be used for teacher and provider evaluations.

“Bargaining unit members shall be evaluated according to the Teacher Evaluation Plan developed by the Teacher Evaluation Instrument Revision Committee (TEIRC). The Plan shall be jointly reviewed at the request of either the Union or the Administration.” (KFT Agreement, 2012-15)

Purposes of Evaluation

  • Promotes student learning through the highest quality of teaching, which includes a commitment to continuous professional development, shared understanding of learning (professional growth) and collective inquiry.
  • Develops each individual’s capacity for professional contribution to the team, building and district levels
  • Supports KSD #111 culture, vision and mission
  • Supports new teacher growth through a formative process within clearly defined expectations
  • Supportstenured teacher growth through a formative process that promotes collaborative inquiry and examination of practice
  • Builds and fosters collaborative relationships among teachers and administrators
  • Validates the hiring/selection process during the probationary (non-tenure) period

Charlotte Danielson’s Framework for Teaching

Enhancing Professional Practice: A Framework for Teaching, 2nd Edition, by Charlotte Danielson is the basis for the Kankakee Performance Evaluation Plan. This framework for teaching is a research-based set of components of instruction that are grounded in a constructivist view of learning and teaching. The framework is an invaluable tool to be used as the foundation for professional conversations among practitioners as they seek to enhance their skill in the complex task of teaching. Starting with the 2014-15 school year, we will use Charlotte Danielson’s 2013 versions of evaluation instruments for all teachers and providers.

The framework will serve as the foundation of Kankakee’s recruitment and hiring, mentoring, coaching, professional development, and teacher evaluation processes, thus linking all these activities together and helping teachers become more thoughtful practitioners.

The actions teachers can take to improve student learning are clearly identified and fall under four domains of teaching responsibility: Planning and Preparation, Classroom Environment, Instruction, and Professional Responsibilities. Within the domains are 22 components and 76 descriptive elements that further refine our understanding of what teaching is all about, with four levels of performance for each element.

The Framework for Teaching is based on the Praxis III: Classroom Performance Assessment criteria developed by Educational Testing Service, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) and is compatible with INTASC standards.

Domain 1- Planning and Preparation
1a. Demonstrating Knowledge of Content and Pedagogy
Knowledge of content and the structure of the discipline
Knowledge of prerequisite relationships
Knowledge of content-related pedagogy
1b: Demonstrating Knowledge of Students
Knowledge of child and adolescent development
Knowledge of the learning process
Knowledge of students’ knowledge, and language proficiency
Knowledge of students’ interests and cultural heritage
Knowledge of students’ special needs
1c: Setting Instructional Outcomes
Value, sequence, and alignment
Clarity
Balance
Suitability for diverse learners
1d: Demonstrating Knowledge of Resources
Resources for classroom use
Resources to extend content knowledge and pedagogy
Resources for students
1e: Designing Coherent Instruction
Learning activities
Instructional materials and resources
Instructional groups
Lesson and unit structure
1f: Designing Student Assessments
Congruence with instructional outcomes
Criteria and standards
Design of formative assessments
Use for planning / Domain 2-Classroom Environment
2a: Creating an Environment of Respect and Rapport
Teacher interaction with students
Student interactions with other students
2b: Establishing a Culture for Learning
Importance of the content
Expectations for learning and achievement
Student pride in work
2c: Managing Classroom Procedures
Management of Instructional groups
Management of transitions
Management of materials and supplies
Performance of non-instructional duties
Supervision of volunteers and paraprofessionals
2d: Managing Student Behavior
Expectations
Monitoring of student behavior
Response to student misbehavior
2e: Organizing Physical Space
Safety and accessibility
Arrangement of furniture and use of physical resources
Domain 4 – Professional Responsibilities
4a: Reflecting on Teaching
Accuracy
Use in future teaching
4b: Maintaining Accurate Records
Student completion of assignments
Student progress in learning
Non-instructional records
4c: Communicating with Families
Information about the instructional program
Information about individual students
Engagement of families in the instructional program
4d: Contributing to the School District
Relationships with colleagues
Involvement in a culture of professional inquiry
Service to the school
Participation in school and district projects
4e: Growing and Developing Professionally
Enhancement of content knowledge and pedagogical skills
Receptivity to feedback from colleagues
Service to the profession
4f: Showing Professionalism
Integrity and ethical conduct
Service to students
Advocacy
Decision making
Compliance with school and district regulations / Domain 3 - Instruction
3a: Communicating with Students
Expectations for learning
Directions and procedures
Explanations of content
Use of oral and written language
3b: Using Questioning and Discussion Techniques
Quality of questions
Discussion techniques
Student participation
3c: Engaging Students in Learning
Activities and assignments
Instructional materials and resources
Grouping of students
Structure and pacing
3d: Using Assessment in Instruction
Assessment criteria
Monitoring of student learning
Feedback to students
Student self-assessment and monitoring of progress
3e: Demonstrating Flexibility and Responsiveness
Lesson adjustment
Response to students
Persistence

Section 2: SEVEN COMMON THEMES, BELIEFS & COMMITMENTS

Equity:

Creating a positive and respectful environment where ALL students feel valued will encourage open participation. This includes creating enhanced opportunities for those who have been traditionally underserved to access stimulating academic achievement. Teachers will not accept lower standards because of background or gender.

Cultural Competence:

A culture for learning is one in which the teacher has high expectations for students, believes all students have the ability to learn and demonstrates confidence in them. Students internalize the teachers’ belief in them and develop respect and rapport where they can feel safe to take risks. Students’ cultural background impacts their readiness to learn, patterns of interaction and their behavior in school. Awareness of and respect for these cultural differences is essential.

High Expectations:

Each student is capable of achieving high levels of learning based on his or her unique characteristics. Teachers are committed to ensuring that each student will reach his or her full individual potential. Commitment, hard work, dedication and perseverance are embedded in this concept for both students and teachers.

Developmental Appropriateness:

Students’ cognitive, social and emotional development affects how they engage in learning. The teacher differentiates questions, strategies, and expected outcomes to address each individual student’s level of development.

Attention to Individual Students Including Those with Special Needs:

Teachers design learning experiences that challenge all students simultaneously at their individual levels. Embedded in these experiences is sensitivity to the student with special needs; whether the special need be intellectual, physical or emotional. Attention is given to modifications and interventions to accommodate all students.

Appropriate Use of Technology:

Technology is a tool to support and enhance learning. It does not replace learning or learning concepts, but is vital in our efforts to engage students and staff in the development of new skills. It is the school’s responsibility to provide access to a variety of technology for all students and continual professional development for staff.

Student Assumption of Responsibility:

Effective learning requires both the teacher and student to be highly engaged and invested in the endeavor. A highly effective learning environment can shift from being completely managed by the teacher to one in which teachers and students share the responsibility for learning. Students are encouraged to suggest instructional outcomes and evaluative criteria.

Section 3: EVALUATION INSTRUMENTS FOR PROVIDERS

Under this evaluation plan, the professional teaching standards to which each teacher is expected to conform are set forth in Charlotte Danielson’s Framework for Teaching. In addition to the teacherperformance evaluation, Danielson 2013 evaluations instruments are provided for:

  • Counselor
  • Instructional Specialist (Instructional Coaches and PBIS Coaches)
  • Library/Media Center Specialist
  • Nurse
  • School Psychologist
  • Social Worker
  • Therapeutic Specialist (Speech Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist)

All of the Danielson evaluation instruments are organized around levels of performance that represent an educator’s growth and development throughout his/her career. The Danielson model is focused on accountability for all aspects of the profession. Just as educators work to meet the needs of each student learner, this model addresses the needs of each individual certified staff member.

Section 4: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE LEVELS of PERFORMANCE

These levels of performance are included in this plan to support teacher self-reflection, inform and structure professional conversations between teachers and evaluators, and suggest areas for further learning. These levels contribute to a teacher’s summative rating system found in Section 5.

“Excellent” refers to professional teaching that innovatively involves students in the learning process and creates a true community of learners. Classroom functions as a community of learners with student assumption of responsibility for learning.

“Proficient” refers to successful, professional teaching that is consistently at a high level. Teaching shows evidence of thorough knowledge of all aspects of the profession. Students are engaged in learning. This is successful, accomplished, professional, and effective teaching.

“Needs Improvement” refers to teaching that has the necessary knowledge and skills to be effective, but its application is inconsistent. Teaching shows evidence of knowledge and skills related to teaching, but performance may be inconsistent due to lack of experience.

“Unsatisfactory” refers to teaching that does not convey an understanding of the concepts underlying the component. This level of performance is doing harm in the classroom. Teaching shows evidence of not understanding the concepts underlying the component. This may represent practice that is harmful, and this situation requires intervention.

Section 5: EVALUATION SUMMATIVE RATING SYSTEM

Kankakee School District uses a numeric score to rank teachers in the four categories of "Excellent, Proficient, Needs Improvement" and "Unsatisfactory".

Points:For each component on which a teacher is rated "excellent", three points will be assigned.This rank corresponds with the Danielson rating of four.For each component on which a teacher is rated "proficient", two points will be assigned.This would be equivalent to Danielson's rating of three.For each component rated "Needs Improvement," one point will be assigned.For each component rated "Unsatisfactory", no points will be given.There are 22 components in the teacher evaluation.A teacher who is rated "excellent" on each component would be assigned 66 points.A teacher who is rated "unsatisfactory" on each component would be assigned 0 points.

Provider evaluations have different numbers of components but the method of calculation is the same as it is for teachers.

Weighting:Domain One (planning) and Three (instruction) are each weighted at 35% of the total score.Domains Two (environment) and Four (professionalism) are each weighted at 15% of the total score. The TEIRC joint committee believe that how well one plans and how well one teaches contribute more to student achievement than the classroom environment or professionalism, although all four are important.For each domain, the total number of points assigned will be multiplied bythese percentages and the totals combined to give a final score.When this score represents 80% or more of the total points possible, a rating of "Excellent" will be assigned.When this score represents 59 - 79% of the total points possible, a rating of "Proficient" will be assigned.When this score represents 31 - 58% of the points possible, arating of "Needs Improvement" will be assigned. When this score represents 30% or less of the points possible, a rating of "Unsatisfactory" will be assigned.

80 - 100%Excellent

59 - 79%Proficient

31 - 58%Needs Improvement

0 - 30%Unsatisfactory

For non-tenured teachers, aminimum of three observations (at least two formal and at least one informal) will be made during the evaluation cycle.

For tenured teachers, a minimum of five observations (at least one formal and at least four informal) will be made during the evaluation cycle. Two of these informal observations will be held before the midpoint conference and two after the midpoint conference. The formal observation can occur before or after the midpoint conference.

Section 6: ROLES OF EVALUATORSand TEACHERS in EVALUATION PROCESS

Evaluator’s Responsibilities

  • Communicate with teachers including Framework for Teaching (FfT) aligned feedback.
  • Meet with teachers to discuss expectations based on the FfT, district and school goals.
  • Review school improvement plan and Illinois School Report Card with all teachers.
  • Provide training in administering relevant standardized testing.
  • Conduct informal observations and engage in reflective conversations
  • Communicate with peer/volunteer mentor to align support for teachers.
  • Conduct formal observation/s including pre- and post-conferences within specified timeframe.
  • Provide ongoing feedback to teacher regarding FfT.
  • Conduct summative evaluation conversation

Teacher’s Responsibilities

  • Understand and implement all necessary components of the FfT.
  • Meet with evaluator and peer/volunteer mentor, if any, to ensure adherence to FfT.
  • Take personal responsibility for attaining Proficient performance by reflecting on performance.
  • Provide evidence for Domains 1 and 4. Teachersmay provide evidence for other domains as well.
  • Develop and implement goals, as specified by the Professional Evaluation Plan.

Section 7: GLOSSARY

“Best Practices” are research-based methods that are effective in improving student achievement.

“Collaboration” means a person, other than an evaluator, comes in to do a non-evaluative observation to support best practices.