Session X: Strengthening Support for Implementation Thinking Systematically: An Action Planning Workbook to Guide the Implementation of Rigorous Comprehensive Educator Effectiveness Systems Measuring Educator Effectiveness to Improve Teaching and Learning June 2-3, 2014 Marriott City Center Salt Lake City, Utah
Page 2 The West Comprehensive Center at WestEd in collaboration with the Center for Great Teachers and Leaders is sponsoring the tenth in a series of regional meetings on Educator Evaluation Systems. This meeting will focus on strengthening support for implementation.
Supporting State Efforts to Implement Educator Effectiveness Systems Recent federal priorities and funding opportunities, such as Race to the Top competitions, School Improvement Grants, and ESEA Flexibility Waivers recognize the impact of teachers and leaders on student achievement and emphasize the urgent need to create and implement quality, comprehensive, strategic systems for evaluating teacher and principal performance in a manner that will identify, support and develop effectiveness and increase student growth. In response, many states have passed legislation mandating the creation and implementation of comprehensive, highstakes teacher and principal evaluation systems. As state policymakers are responsible for the design, development and implementation of evaluation systems using multiple measures, including student growth, it is critical that they are familiar with emergent research, promising practices and strategies related to the design of teacher and principal evaluation systems, and recognize and address the capacity issues related to effective implementation. The West Comprehensive Center (WCC) designed this workshop to provide guidance to states as they provide support for the implementation of educator effectiveness systems. Purpose of this Workbook The WCC created this action-planning workbook to help states as they determine ways to strengthen implementation of educator effectiveness systems. This workbook takes stakeholders through a series of discussion-based reflections, considerations and action steps that will support implementation in their state. Although additional steps beyond those included are crucial, this workbook can serve as a guide to help frame the workshop sessions to maximize available discussion and planning time. This workbook provides the opportunity to: Reflect on session presentations and examine critical considerations in states approaches to implementation. Consult with experts on policy implications and challenges in supporting educators to meet new expectations. Share information, ideas and resources with state team members. Make informed decisions based on thoughtful consideration of available options. Review state progress in creating a comprehensive system in the midst of uncertainties, challenges and new learnings. Identify priorities, plans and next steps and explore potential cross-state collaboration. Page 3
Day One: Keynote Address Tuesday June 2, 2014 (12:30 1:25 PM) The National Landscape: Progress, Challenges and Reflections Stanley Rabinowitz, WestEd Notetaking Tool: Use the following organizer to record your notes. Key Ideas Questions Implications for State Plan Take-aways: Page 4
Day One: Presentation I Monday, June 2, 2014 (1:30 3:00 PM) Using Technology Tools to Support Implementation - Jeff Anderson, Samantha Fuhrey, Michael Moody Notetaking Tool: Use the following organizer to record your notes. Key Ideas Questions Ideas we Can Use Page 5
Day One: Presentation II Monday, June 2, 2014 (3:15 4:10 PM) Reflections on Implementation: Viewpoints from the National Education Association - John Wright, NEA Notetaking Tool: Use the following organizer to record your notes. Key Ideas Questions Ideas we Can Use Page 6
Day One: Working Session I Monday, June 2, 2014 (4:15 5:15 PM) Planning and Implementation State team members will share what was learned from workshop sessions that might inform state plans and determine how each state team will make best use of working sessions. Presenters and staff will be available to meet with teams during this session. Purpose of this working session: 1. Identify what the state team intends to accomplish (objectives) at this meeting. 2. Review and discuss how the information presented and discussion this afternoon can inform your state plan. 3. Use guiding questions to further discussion. 4. Prepare the team s comments and questions for today s closing session on a flipchart. Suggested Tasks and Timelines: 4:15-4:20 Getting Organized: Getting Started Identify key objectives and outcomes the group plans to accomplish at this workshop. Identify a facilitator, recorder and spokesperson for the group. 4:20 5:15 Discussion and Planning 4:20: 4:40 Review notes from today s presentations (Refer to Notetaking Tools pp 4-6) Discuss take-aways from today s presentations using Reflection Tool p. 8 4:40-5:00 Plan using your notes, the guiding questions provided, and the team s discussion. Identify additional state issues and topics that need to be accomplished during this meeting. Record decisions made and next steps (Use Action Planning Templates 1, 2,3, pp 18-20). Decide how the team will divide up for Day Two Breakout Sessions. (See Agenda) 5:00 5:15 Summarize today s working session on a flipchart for share out in today s closing session. Page 7
Day One: State Team Working Session I Monday, June 2, 2014 (4:15 5:15 PM) Reflection Tool - Guiding Questions for Discussion Discussion Questions 1. In reflecting on today s presentations, what were your take-aways? Notes 2. Reflecting on your state s implementation efforts, in what areas has your state made progress? 3. Reflecting on your state s efforts, what lessons have you learned? 4. How is your state making connections among implementation of CCRS, educator effectiveness and evaluation, and school improvement? 5. What areas do you think are a need that your state should address? 6. What reform efforts are putting the greatest pressure on educators? What are the pressure points? e.g., Timelines, readiness, capacity, accountability? 7. How might the state initiate attention and support for the areas identified as greatest need? 8. What are practical courses of action the state can take to address reform fatigue? e.g., stay the course and strengthen supports; stay the course but make adjustments to policy; delay some reforms. What are constraints/advantages? 9. Which are you most interested in exploring and/or discussing with your colleagues at this meeting? What do you hope to accomplish while you are here? 10. Review tomorrow s Breakout Sessions; decide how your team will divide up to attend all three. Page 8
Day Two: Breakfast Panel Tuesday, June 3, 2014 (7:30 8:10 AM) State Panel: Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Utah Notetaking Tool: Use the following organizer to record your notes for discussion during the working session. State Todd Petersen Arizona Department of Education Notes Katy Anthes Colorado Department of Education Page 9
State Dena Durrish Nevada Department of Education Notes Sydnee Dickson Utah State Office of Education Page 10
Day Two: Presentation III Tuesday, June 3, 2014 (8:15 9:30 AM) Why all the Headlines? Challenges in Courts of Law and the Court of Public Opinion - Kate Lipper, EducationCounsel LLC Notetaking Tool: Use this tool to record information you will share with your team in the afternoon working session. Topic Notes What I Learned What I Will Share w/ Team Page 11
Break Out Sessions Tuesday, June 3, 2014 (9:40 11:45 AM) Session: Notes Ideas to Share with my Team Page 12
Day Two: State Team Working Lunch Session II Tuesday, June 3, 2014 (11:45 1:15 PM) Planning and Implementation State team members will share what they learned from today s presentation and breakout sessions that might inform their work. Use the notes from this morning s presentations and questions on the next page for a de-brief. Presenters and staff will be available to meet with teams during this session. Purpose of this working session: 1. Review and discuss how today s presentations can inform your state plan. 2. Share with your colleagues what you learned from the breakout sessions. 3. Determine if/how CGTL professional learning modules might be useful for your context. 4. Discuss opportunities for cross-state discussions during open space. Identify one or two topics for discussion. Suggested Tasks and Time Management: 12:00 12:30 Review notes from today s presentations. Discuss guiding question and implications for state plan using Reflection Tool p. 14. 12:30 1:00 Plan next steps and record decisions made. Use Action Planning Templates 1, 2, 3 pp 18-20. 1:00 1:15 Prepare potential topics your team would like to propose during Open Space. Page 13
Reflection Tool: For Use during Working Lunch Questions for Discussion 1. From this morning s panel discussion, are there state representatives you would like to follow up with? What topics might you initiate for discussion during open space this afternoon? Notes 2. What did you learn from Kate Lipper s presentation you would like to discuss with your colleagues? Given recent legal developments, are there policies and practices your state may need to revisit? 3. What adjustments/enhancements do we need to make in our communication/training/resources to address implementation challenges? 4. De-brief with your team the breakout session you attended. Are there ways you can use these professional learning modules in your setting? How might they support what you are already doing? 5. What additional supports can be offered to build coherence and capacity to implement current reform initiatives? What challenges have we identified and how can they be addressed? 6. How can states/districts build stringer partnerships? 7. What other issues/thoughts did this morning s sessions raise? Page 14
Day Two: Open Space Topics Tuesday, June 3, 2014 (1:30 2:30 PM) Topic I: Designing Systems for Specialized Instructional Support Personnel Lynn Holdheide, Lindsey Hayes, Center on Great Teachers & Leaders Others: Notetaking Tool: Use this tool to record information you will share with your team in the afternoon working session. Topic Notes What I Learned What I Will Share with the Team Page 15
Day Two: State Team Working Session III Tuesday, June 3, 2014 (2:40 3:40 PM) Planning and Implementation State team members will share what they learned from today s sessions that might inform state plans and this working session. Presenters and staff will be available to meet with teams during this session. Purpose of this working session: 1. Share Open Space discussions with colleagues. 2. Use guiding questions to further consider relevant issues to strengthen your state s capacity building efforts. 3. Prepare the team s comments for today s closing session on flipchart. Suggested Tasks and Time Management: 2:40 3:00 Share and discuss take aways from Open space discussions with other states. 3:00 3:20 Plan next steps and record decisions made. Use Reflection Questions on the next page and Action Planning Templates 1, 2, 3 pp 18-20. 3:30 3:40 Prepare summary comments for today s closing session on flipchart. Page 16
Reflection Tool: Guiding Questions for Final Working Session Day Two: State Teams Working Session III Tuesday, June 3, 2014 (2:40 3:40 PM) Questions for Discussion Notes Implications/Next Steps 1. What are the key discussion points and/or decisions we made as a team? 2. What are our urgent priorities and what are our next steps in addressing them? 3. To what degree do we have a plan to address reform fatigue? 4. What are our biggest challenges/constraints? 5. What assistance will we need? Where will we go to get it? What resources do we have? 6. How can we engage partners in this effort? Page 17
ACTION PLANNING TOOLS Template 1: Team Wrap-up and Overall Action Plan (for use during working sessions) As a team and individually, use this space for notes and reminders that summarize outcomes and identify next steps and action items that will serve as a reference when you return to your state. What is required of the team? What will you need to do? Area of Focus Action Items Person / Group Responsible Timeline / Date Required Page 18
Template 2: Personal Action Plan (for use during working sessions) My Next Steps: My Action Items: My Desired Outcomes: Page 19
Template 3: Mapping Our Plan 2014-2017 (for use during working sessions) Where are we headed? 2014 2015 2016-2017 Page 20
History Map and Future Work: Measuring Educator Effectiveness Regional Collaborative ACTIVITIES 2010 2011 2012 2013 2017 Establish regional collaborative to address educator evaluation systems at request of SEAs - Experts present on design and implementation - Practitioners present models and approaches - Working and networking sessions provide opportunities for states to develop plans, policies, and professional development components Collaborative Workshop: Designing a Comprehensive System (September, Denver) Collaborative Workshops: Using Student Growth Measures in Tested and Non-Tested Subjects (January, Phoenix) Using Multiple Measures and the Results to Make Informed Decisions (April, Salt Lake City) Implementing a Comprehensive System Data Needs, Communication, Training and Evaluation (August, Lake Tahoe) Principal Evaluation (December, Denver) Collaborative Workshops: Weighting Multiple Measures and Piloting Early Models (April, Scottsdale) What We Are Learning Legal Defensibility Connecting Evaluation to Common Core Standards - State Models and Approaches (August, Salt Lake City) Planned Collaborative Workshops: Making Adjustments Based on Pilot Data Principal Capacity and Evaluation Using Data for Performancebased Compensation, Professional Development, Tenure, and Other Decisions Data Systems Aligning Evaluation With Teacher Preparation Programs PARTICIPANTS Attended by policymakers, SEAs, association leaders, and stakeholder groups responsible for state frameworks, policy recommendations to State Boards of Education and implementation Attended by policymakers, SEAs, association leaders, and stakeholder groups responsible for state frameworks, policy recommendations to State Boards of Education and implementation Attended by policymakers, SEAs, association leaders, and stakeholder groups responsible for state frameworks, policy recommendations to State Boards of Education and implementation Attended by policymakers, SEAs, association leaders, and stakeholder groups responsible for state frameworks, policy recommendations to State Boards of Education and implementation OUTCOMES AZ passes HB 1040 CO passes SB 191 UT forms Advisory Committee NV forms Advisory Committee AZ, CO, UT present recommendation to respective State Boards; state frameworks are approved NV passes legislation establishing educator evaluation system based on student growth AZ passes HB 2823 adjusting timelines; additional conditions CO pilots principal evaluation UT passes legislation aligned with board policy NV recommendations to State Board Adjustments to frameworks Development of data systems Reporting and monitoring processes Performance-based compensation Aligned teacher preparation programs and CCSS work Page 21