Educator Performance and Support System (EPSS)

Educator Performance and Support System (EPSS) Information Session April 4th, 2012

EPSS Overview • RIDE Project Sponsor: Lisa Foehr Director, Office of Educator Quality and Certification • RIDE Business Lead: Shoba Annavarjula -RIDE Technical Lead: Elizabeth Landry • Vendor: MyLearningPlan®

EPSS Development Overview About My Learning Plan, RIDE’s EPSS Vendor • K-12 Focus: For 21 years, MLP has provided technology products exclusively to schools and districts in 46 states, including many in Rhode Island. • Proven Product: The EPSS base system, MyLearningPlan OASYSSM, has been used by hundreds of K-12 organizations over several years. • Educator-Driven: The design, testing, and all enhancements to the base system have been driven by feedback from educators in the field. • Customizable: Unlike other vendors, MLP was willing to collaborate with RIDE to customize the system to meet our needs.

EPSS Development Overview Gradual System Roll-Out • Initial system release (Late August 2012): includes the most critical components needed to support the evaluation process at the beginning of the year • 2012-13 school year: additional modules released to support users in completing all required evaluation tasks • 2013-14 and Beyond: MLP collaborates with RIDE to enhance system functionality, incorporating user feedback into each development effort

Development Timeline for 2012-13

Single Sign on A single log-in for all systems Move seamlessly between systems Using industry standard encryption technology Will be included in training

Data Sharing • Certain data elements required for reporting purposes: component level and summative ratings from every educator • Summative ratings are tied to certification, and therefore need to be reported to RIDE • RIDE will not publish any evaluation information associated with any individual. This assurance was given in Commissioner’s letter dated March 9, to all RI educators. • However, RIDE may want to research more deeply at an aggregate level and anonymously

Data Access and Security • System access for every EPSS user is regulated based on their role, as well as the specific school and district they are associated with. • Educators whose assignments change will always be able to access their own evaluation data.

Educator Evaluation Schedule and document outcomes from Conferences Capture dynamic Observation Notesand share Observation Feedback Send feedback and ratings on all Evaluation Components Manage Evaluation Caseloads, including scheduling of required components Create Aggregate Reports at the school and district level

Caseload Management • Manage Evaluation Caseloads • Flexibility to assign evaluation components to different evaluators and facilitate shared caseloads Please note: Images of the screens are representative, and are currently being finalized

Scheduling Observations and Conferences • Schedule all evaluation components such as Observations and Conferences • The same scheduler can be used to schedule unannounced observations too! • When a component is scheduled, the system will provide calendar files for the evaluator and the educator that can be downloaded easily into work or personal calendar applications.

Dashboards • Manage tasks related to their own evaluation cycle like Student Learning Objectives, Professional Growth Goals

Standards Selector to align Student Learning Objectives • The list available will include the common core, as well as other key standard sets educators may need to reference while writing SLOs. RIDE will be working with districts to identify key standards that need to be available in the tool, which will be updated regularly as new items are identified Align SLO to Common Core & Other Standards

Manage SLOs • The set of SLOs can be submitted for approval and feedback from the evaluator • Evaluators will have the ability to prevent editing of approved SLOs, with the option to “unlock” the screens anytime additional edits are needed

Observations and Feedback • Capture Notes during Classroom Observations in 2 Ways • On a Scratch Pad • As a Running Record

Streamlined Evidence Upload • Educators and evaluators will have the ability to upload and manage non-observable evidence to support their evaluation, as well as SLO artifacts • The electronic upload functionality is designed to help educators and evaluators streamline the process and organize the supporting documentation. It is not a required system component.

Upcoming Opportunities • EPSS system training: Summer 2012 • User Focus Groups facilitated jointly by RIDE and MLP: Winter, Spring 2013 • Data team meetings: Ongoing

Contact Information • For questions, contact: edeval@ride.ri.gov

Educator Performance and Support System (EPSS)