New Iowa Superintendent Evaluation Standards Bring Opportunities for Boards

1. Convention, November 15, 2007 New Iowa Superintendent Evaluation Standards Bring Opportunities for Boards Bonnie Boothroy, SAI Len Cockman, IASB Troyce Fisher, SAI Dan Smith, SAI Mary Jane Vens, IASB

2. Why evaluate the superintendent? • Good evaluation improves the performance of the superintendent and • improves the capacity of the school board to ensure the superintendent succeeds so that they lead together to • improve student learning.

3. Why this? Why now? • System alignment impacts learning. • Leadership matters. • Feedback makes a difference. • Ongoing dialogue about goals changes the conversation. • Compliance is not enough.

4. What do we want to accomplish? • The purpose of superintendent evaluation is to promote ongoing communication about how board and superintendent leadership is helping improve this district. • The evaluation process is intended to improve performance, not provide documentation for consideration of termination.

5. Superintendent Evaluation Cycle Annual Progress Review YEAR 1 Annual Progress Review YEAR 2 Summative Evaluation YEAR 3

6. What does the law require? • A minimum of an annual meeting of board and superintendent to review superintendent’s progress on his/her individual plan, including: • how the superintendent has collaborated with others on student achievement goals, • modification of the superintendent’s plan, as appropriate, to meet district needs, • clear evidence of progress, and • identification of professional development needed by superintendent and supported by the board.

7. More requirements… • At a minimum, every three years the board completes a written evaluation that assesses: • the superintendent’s competence in meeting the Iowa Standards for School Leaders and • the superintendent’s competence in meeting the goals of his/her individual plan. In completing this evaluation, the board will consider the supporting documentation and artifacts provided by the superintendent. (Tip: A single artifact may demonstrate competence in multiple standards.)

8. Superintendent Evaluation Cycle Annual Progress Review YEAR 1 Annual Progress Review YEAR 2 Summative Evaluation YEAR 3

9. The law says… Meet annually to review progress in meeting the goals in the… individual plan. Review collaborative work…on student achievement goals. Modify as necessary the individual plan. Administrator shall present… evidence of progress. In practice… July or August… Consider superintendent leadership needs for progress towards district-wide improvement goals. Use goal-setting process, considering the Iowa standards, for evaluation goals. Decide on measurable progress indicators. Agree on superintendent’s individual plan. Throughout the year… Periodically review progress indicators. At the end of the year… The superintendent provides evidence of progress for board discussion. End of year review goes into file. Annual Progress Review Year 1

10. The law says… Meet annually to review progress in meeting the goals in the… individual plan. Review collaborative work…on student achievement goals. Modify as necessary the individual plan. Administrator shall present… evidence of progress. In practice… July or August… Consider superintendent leadership needs for progress towards district-wide improvement goals. Use goal-setting process, considering the Iowa standards, for evaluation goals. Decide on measurable progress indicators. Agree on superintendent’s individual plan. Throughout the year… Periodically review progress indicators. At the end of the year… The superintendent provides evidence of progress for board discussion. End of year review goes into file. Annual Progress Review Year 2

11. The law says… A school district shall conduct an evaluation… at least once every three years for purposes of assisting the administrator in making continuous improvement, documenting continued competence in the Iowa standards… to determine whether the administrator's practice meets school district expectations…. The review shall include… an assessment of the administrator's competence in meeting… the Iowa standards … the goals of the administrator's individual professional development plan… supporting documentation In practice… July or August: Discuss what the process and timeline will look like this year Throughout the year: Follow the process used in years 1 and 2 focusing on the standards. End of the year: Complete a written evaluation that assesses the superintendent’s competence in meeting: the Iowa standards for school leaders and the goals of his/her individual plan. In completing this evaluation, the board will consider the supporting documentation and artifacts provided by the superintendent. A single artifact may demonstrate competence in multiple standards. Summative Evaluation Year 3

12. Handout: Superintendent Evaluation That Supports Professional Growth • Summary of the law • Overview of desired results • Reminder to consider implications • Resources • DE guidance

13. Page 9 in your handout

14. Suggested Actions • Walk through handout with your board and superintendent. • Discuss and add implications for the board and superintendent. • Consider your district’s current practices and policies. • Plan for implementation in 2008-2009.

15. Remember… • The law applies to all administrators, but the board’s evaluative role applies only to the superintendent. • No one likes surprises. • You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. • There are resources available to you. • The importance of principles to guide our interactions. . .

16. Guiding principles such as. . . • Ensure it is an ongoing conversation • Design for improvement, not termination • Connect to student learning & the Iowa Standards for School Leaders • Use objective data and information • Focus on student achievement as the “bottom line” • Keep the big picture in mind, stay on the balcony • Engage in a respectful process

17. Resources

18. Samples and Resources • Iowa Association of School Boards www.ia-sb.org • School Administrators of Iowa www.sai-iowa.org • University of Iowa’s e-Portfolio www.education.uiowa.edu/ialeaders • Wallace Foundation www.wallacefoundation.org

19. Future assistance… meetings in February!

20. Iowa’s children thank you for your efforts!