Teacher Evaluation & Development Pilot Program

1. Teacher Evaluation &Development Pilot Program Orientation to Teacher Evaluation 2013-2014

2. Vision of Our Evaluation Model “There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about” Margaret Wheatley

3. Vision of Our Evaluation Model • Commitment to a model that is designed to improve student learning and staff effectiveness through the ongoing development of West Hartford’s professional staff • Comprehensive in its design, addressing both the State mandates as well as providing differentiated experiences based on the full range of professional performance needs • To ensure all students have competent, high quality teachers, we must provide an evaluation and support structure that builds human capacities and challenges all educators to aspire and reach excellence

4. Principles of Our Evaluation Plan • Student learning is directly affected by teacher knowledge and skill; • Teacher knowledge and skill are affected positively by the integration of teacher evaluation, professional development and collaboration; • Teachers, like students, must be committed to continuous improvement; • An effective evaluation plan requires a clear definition of teaching and learning along a continuum of development and a reliable system to assess it; and • The gaps between expectations for student performance and actual student performance should guide and shape the content of professional development and the expectations for improved performance.

7. Teacher Evaluation Process • Goal Setting and Planning - Orientation on Process - Teacher Reflection and Goal Setting - Goal Setting Conference • Mid-Year Check-ins • End-of-Year Conference

9. Teacher Performance and Practice Number of Observations *Please note: In the first year of implementation, all teachers will be observed 7 times: 3 formal observations and 4 informal observations.

10. Teacher Evaluation Process:Component #1 Goal Setting and Planning • Orientation Process – Teachers provided with information about the evaluation process • Teacher Reflection and Goal Setting - Teacher examines student data, prior year evaluation, survey results and WHPS’ Instructional Framework and drafts goals • Goal Setting Conference – Administrator and teacher discuss proposed goals and arrive at mutual agreement

11. Teacher Evaluation Process:Component #2 – Mid-Year Check-In Evaluator and teacher hold at least one mid-year check-in • Evaluations and teachers will review progress toward the goals/objectives at least once during the school year, using available information, including agreed upon indicators.

12. Teacher Evaluation Process:Component #3 - End-of-Year Conference • End-of-Year Conference - Four Levels of Performance • Exemplary • Effective • Developing • Below Standard • Teacher Self-Assessment – The teacher reviews all information and data collected during the year and completes a self-assessment for review by evaluator.