Maryland's Historic MOU on Student Learning Objectives

1. The Power Of Partnership: Maryland’s Historic Memorandum of Understanding on the Use of Student Learning Objectives MACC@WestEd Webinar withDavid Volrath, Maryland State Department of Education May 14,201511:00 am – 12:00 pm

2. Agenda • Introduction – Carol Cohen • Setting the Context – Dixie Stack • The Power of Partnership: Maryland’s MOU – David Volrath • Q & A • Evaluation and Wrap-up

3. Housekeeping • Phones muted; use chat box for questions and comments • Recording of webinar and answers to questions will be posted online • Link to evaluation survey provided at end of webinar • For assistance with technical issues: MACC@WestEd.org

4. About the MACC@WestEd • WestEd is a non-profit research, development and service agency • WestEd was selected to operate the Mid-Atlantic Comprehensive Center beginning in October 2012 • MACC@WestEd works with Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia

5. Comprehensive Center Priorities • Standards and Assessment • Educator and Leader Effectiveness • School Turnaround • Early Childhood School Readiness • College and Career Readiness • Innovations Scale Up • Effective Data Use

6. History of TPE in Maryland • SEA Teacher Principal Evaluation System Action Team led the work • 2011-2012 – Field Test in 11 of 24 local school systems • 2012-2013 – USED granted an additional year for statewide field test • MACC@WestEd and CTAC conduct on-the-ground review of LEA activities

7. Assessing the Status • Perceptions of frontline educators • What support had been given? • What support was still needed? • Student growth and achievement measures • TPE implementation • Purpose of collected information • Inform future work • Strengthen programs through appropriate support

8. Using the Data • Develop guidance materials and related trainings to support TPE implementation • Develop resources to support district integration of TPE system within their core instructional frameworks • Develop protocols to leverage evidence that can inform professional development • Provide sample SLO Quality Rating Rubric

9. Commitment to evaluation as a means for crafting professional development that elevates teacher craft and principal leadership Maryland’s TPE Team

10. The Power of Partnership: Maryland's Historic Memorandum of Understanding on The Use of Student Learning Objectives May 14, 2015 David Volrath Planning and Development Officer Maryland State Department of Education MSDE: Teacher/Principal Evaluation

11. Forging the MOU • Opportunity and Timing • Mutual Interests and common ground • Cost to Benefit • Actionable • Twelve Commitments…in the context of SLOs MSDE: Teacher/Principal Evaluation

12. Commitment of purpose… The primary goal of evaluating teaching should be to improve effectiveness in the classroom, which will lead to student growth. The SLO process is an important component of effective instruction. When collaboratively developed and implementedappropriately, the use of rigorous objectives coupled with multiple strategies, measured by multiple assessments, leads to academic success and growth on the part of students. MSDE: Teacher/Principal Evaluation

13. Commitment of resources… The parties shall coordinate resources and strategies to assist educators in the development of rigorous and measurable, but obtainable SLOs. MSDE: Teacher/Principal Evaluation

14. Commitment to own… The parties shall effectively assist teachers and principals in fully understanding, utilizing, and embracing SLOs, by focusing on professional development that, minimally: a) Identifies the key elements of a rigorous SLO, utilizing common definitions and content to develop consistency across LSSs; b) Assists in setting measurable and obtainable benchmarks; c) Recognizes progress/growth and effective strategies for achieving SLOs. MSDE: Teacher/Principal Evaluation

15. Commitment to lead… The parties shall identify and develop a diverse group of leaders from around the state to deliver professional development programs and activities on SLOs. This should be done in collaboration with local teacher and principal affiliates and LSSs for the purpose of building the capacity in local affiliates and LSSs. MSDE: Teacher/Principal Evaluation

16. Commitment to implement… The parties shall coordinate and commit to provide professional development in support of LSSs’, educators’ and principals’ needs and interests utilizing common definitions and content. MSDE: Teacher/Principal Evaluation

17. Commitment to transparency… The parties shall work towards establishing a network for collaborating, monitoring, and analyzing the progress of the LSSs in the development of SLOs. MSDE: Teacher/Principal Evaluation

18. Commitment to commonalities… The parties recognize the importance of local flexibility in SLO implementation, but shall strive for consistency and common language across LSSs and within each district. MSDE: Teacher/Principal Evaluation

19. Commitment to collegial harmony… Through their collaboration, the parties will foster a spirit of collegial respect, transparency, and inclusion in their work around SLOs. MSDE: Teacher/Principal Evaluation

20. Commitment to accountability… The parties, in working with LSSs, commit to ensure fidelity and shall, therefore, hold constituent groups accountablefor accuracy and endorsement of the content of SLOs, the process of employing SLOs, and the commitment to using SLOs. MSDE: Teacher/Principal Evaluation

21. Commitment to deliverables… The parties shall jointly initiate a study and issue a report in August 2016 regarding the implementation of SLOs; the effective use of professional development to implement this initiative; and the impact of SLOs on student growth. MSDE: Teacher/Principal Evaluation

22. Commitment to execute… This MOU may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. This MOU may be executed by facsimile signature or electronic exchanges of documents bearing a scanned signature, and a facsimile or copy of a signature is valid as an original. MSDE: Teacher/Principal Evaluation

23. Commitment to sustain… This MOU may be extended beyond August 26, 2016 by agreement of the parties. MSDE: Teacher/Principal Evaluation

24. Maryland State Board of Education Signatories to the MOU MSDE: Teacher/Principal Evaluation

25. Applying the MOU • A living document • Survey development and distribution • Quality Control feedback loops • Effective Communication protocols • A lever for mandating focus and progress • Legislative tranquility • Professional peace and reflection MSDE: Teacher/Principal Evaluation

26. Questions and Lessons Learned david.volrath@maryland.gov MSDE: Teacher/Principal Evaluation

27. Contact the Mid-Atlantic Comprehensive Center • phone number: 202.471.2469 • toll free: 855.498.6370 • email: MACC@WestEd.org • website: http://macc-atwested.org/

28. Feedback Survey URL: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?PREVIEW_MODE=DO_NOT_USE_THIS_LINK_FOR_COLLECTION&sm=oQlT25pXN0EgqhCT8T2i5Cq49qUF%2fRgOOReRxqz5Lug%3d