The Teacher Excellence and Support System Act 1209 of 2011

1. The Teacher Excellence and Support System Act 1209 of 2011 Dr. Johnnie Roebuck, State Representative, District 20 Mr. Luke Gordy, Arkansans for Educational Reform Mr. Scott Smith, Director, Arkansas Public School Resource Center Dr. Richard Abernathy, Executive Director, Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators

2. ARKANSAS CURRENT POLICY • Recognizes that students’ growth is the primary indicator of how well educators are doing their jobs. • Requires LEAs to use a comprehensive evaluation system that includes student progress as a critical measure of teaching effectiveness and points to where instructional approaches and monitoring must improve. • Ensures a rich array of formative, interim and summative checkpoints to keep each child’s learning barometer in plain view of professionals.

3. Legislative Interim Study/Statute 2007-2009 • Representatives included ADE, ADHE, AAEA, General Assembly, Leadership Academy • 2009 Legislation (ACT 222 - A.C.A. 6-1-409 – Rep. David Cook) created the School Leadership Coordinating Council • One of purposes is to “aid in the development of model evaluation tools for use in the evaluation of school administrators.” • Work continues.

4. TEACHER EVALUATION TASK FORCESpring 2009 - Present • 36 members – diverse representation • Set standards and criteria for effective teaching • Adopted Danielson’s four domains and 22 components from A Framework for Teaching • Designed The Arkansas Teacher Evaluation System - Based on research and reflects proven practices to boost student learning - Uses clear, concise evidentiary data for professional growth and development to increase student achievement - Highlights teachers whose successful strategies can be celebrated and shared - Uncovers weaknesses that can be addressed and improved.

5. Task Force Findings • 171 LEAs submitted evaluation forms • 96% had established evaluation criteria • 87.7% utilized a checklist tool • 14.6% required evidence • 21.6% utilized a rubric • 3.5% used other data about student learning

6. Evaluation System - Pilot • Four school districts volunteered • Jonesboro School District, High School and Middle School • Pocahontas School District, High School • Magnolia School District, High School • Lee County School District, High School • ADE provided resources/materials for training • Sponsored Charlotte Danielson’s visit • Began training in January 2010 and continuing with representatives from each cooperative • Approved formal observation forms • Modified in January 2011 – “Recommended Evidence for Student Growth”

7. UNDERSTANDING THE RESEARCH • National Council of Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) • Blue Ribbon Panel on Clinical Preparation and Partnerships for Improved Student Learning • National Education Association (NEA) • Framework for Transforming Education Systems to Support Effective Teachers and Improve Student Learning • National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) • Teachers differ in effectiveness • Multiple measures of assessment • National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) • “Student Learning, Student Achievement: How Do Teachers Measure up?” (2011)

8. UNDERSTANDING RESEARCH • National Council on Teacher Quality • Blueprint for Change in Arkansas • Identifying Effective Teachers – D • Highest priority – ensure teacher evaluation/assess effectiveness in the classroom • Southern Regional Education Board • Gates Foundation – Measuring Teaching Effectiveness Model • Multi-dimensional • Teacher’s knowledge of subject • Pedagogy • Training of evaluators • New Teacher Project (4 Arkansas Districts) • “The Widget Effect: Our National Failure to Acknowledge and Act on Differences in Teacher Effectiveness” (2009) • 99% of teachers are scored satisfactory • Excellence goes unrecognized • Inadequate professional development • Poor performance goes unaddressed • No special attention to novices

9. CHALLENGES • How do we measure teacher quality? • What are direct evidences of student learning? • How can we avoid the pitfalls of past evaluation systems? • How can we create an evaluation system that becomes a useful tool for teachers and school leaders to increase student achievement? • How can we ensure lessons learned from Arkansas districts and other states making real progress? • How do we find the time?

10. Arkansas is not alone!! • “Our system of teacher evaluation …… frustrates teachers who feel that their good work goes unrecognized and ignores other teachers who would benefit from additional support.” Secretary of Education Arne Duncan

11. The Teacher Excellence and Support System ACT 1209 • Understanding the research • Recognizing concerns with teacher recruitment and attrition • Implementing the Core Standards • Appreciating the State’s pilot programs

12. PARTNERSHIP/COLLABORATION • Arkansas Association of Education Administrators (AAEA) • Arkansas Public School Resource Center (APSRC) • Arkansas Education Association (AEA) • Arkansas School Boards Association (ASBA) • Arkansas Education Reform Initiative (AERI) • Arkansas Rural Education Association (AREA) • Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) • Arkansas Educational Accountability Coalition (AEAC)

13. COMMON BELIEFS SHAREDA teacher evaluation system • recognizes student learning as the foundation of teacher effectiveness. • gives schools information needed to build the strongest possible instructional delivery system. • helps districts hold school leaders accountable for supporting each teacher’s professional development. • Is based on multiple assessments – formative and summative. • focuses everyone in the school system on what matters most – realizing each student’s full potential and staying on track for career/college readiness.

14. Major Components • Priority: Promoting Professional Learning • Artifacts • Four Categories • Rating Designations based on Rubrics • Intensive Support • Formal and Informal Observations • Three-Year Cycles for those not needing additional support • Professional Development matches the Learning Plan • Other National Models Accepted

15. Teacher Excellence and Support System Track 1 Probationary: 1-3 Years Track 2 Non-Probationary Year 3 Observations on all components *Evidence of Learning Formal Evaluation Observations on all components once every 3 years *Evidence of Learning Track 3: Intensive Support Status Improvement Plan *Technical Assistance Year 2 Observations on all components *Evidence of Learning Professional Learning 2 Years *Evidence of Learning through required Professional Learning Plan Year 1 Observations on all components *Evidence of Learning Non-Renewal

16. IMPLEMENTATION TIME LINE • Sept. 1, 2012: SBE develops framework, rubric, and all rules for implementation • Sept. 1, 2012 - Aug. 31, 2013: ADE or other educational associations conduct training • 2013-14: One-Year Pilot • 2014-15: Implementation (aligns with Common Core) • 2017-18: School Performance Reports ide include data on teaching proficiency

17. OPPORTUNITIES FOR INVOLVEMENT • Rules and Regulations Process • Pilot Program Participation • Feedback Sessions • Pilot Districts - connections

18. Questions? How can we help?