Q Comp Peer Reviewer Training 2007-08

1. Q Comp Peer Reviewer Training 2007-08 Covering: Job Description and Expectations Norms and Confidentiality Agendas Interviews Rubric and Debriefing Wrap-up and Sign-up

2. Job Description and Expectations • Compensation: • $100 stipend per site visit • Mileage reimbursement • Substitute teacher reimbursement • Hotel reimbursement (if appropriate and prearranged with the MDE facilitator)

3. Job Description and Expectations • Compensation notes: • Mileage and Substitute teacher reimbursement forms will be distributed on the day of the visit • All forms regarding payment arrangements must be paid promptly • Payments cannot be made later than 45 days from the day the work was completed

4. Job Description and Expectations • Stipend payments will be made at the end of the month • Receipts are required for all hotel reimbursements and must be attached to the reimbursement form • This is included on the mileage form

5. Job Description and Expectations • Qualifications • Willing to travel to site visits • Understanding of the Q Comp legislation and policies • Background in best practices for professional development, student achievement, and teacher evaluation

6. Job Description and Expectations • Willing to commit to training • Committed to providing districts with quality, constructive feedback to highlight both the positives and areas for improvement • Open-minded

7. Job Description and Expectations • Job Duties: • Attend Training • Participate in site visits • Arrive promptly (try to be 15 minutes before the scheduled start time) • Dress professionally • Listen attentively to information provided • Provide commendations and recommendations

8. Job Description and Expectations • Review draft reports for accuracy • At the conclusion of each debriefing session the Peer Review team should review with the MDE facilitator what has been recorded to ensure accuracy on the report and the full consensus of the group is reflected in the report • Contact MDE, immediately if you are unable to attend a Peer Review visit

9. Norms and Confidentiality • Final reports for all Peer Review visits are consensus reports reflecting the agreement among all peer reviewers • Direct all questions or requests for information about Program Review to MDE

10. Norms and Confidentiality • A final Program Review report consists of the complete Document Review results and the consensus Peer Review report • Level movement depends on meeting expectations on both parts • Only Document Review results may be changed

11. Agendas and an Overview of the Day • Each site designs their own agenda for the Peer Review site visit. • All agendas must include: • A visit to schools at each level • A district presentation • A district leadership interview

12. Agendas and an Overview of the Day • A career ladder teacher interview • A teacher interview • Viewing of a live or videotaped team meeting at each school visited

13. Agendas and an Overview of the Day • Differences between agendas at each Program Review level • Level 1 • More sites (at least two sites at each level for districts with multiple sites at each level) • The team will be split to attend multiple sites at the same times

14. Agendas and an Overview of the Day • Level 2 • Only one site at each level is required • The team is often smaller as splitting into multiple groups is not necessary • Level 3 • This is designed by the district’s choice

15. Agendas and an Overview of the Day • School District vs. Charter School Agendas • Look the same, with the same requirements • Charter agendas are shorter, most often only half-day • Charter school’s often have such small staff numbers that the district leadership and career ladder teacher interviews will be combined • Charter visits often include a tour

16. Interviews • The interview questions have been revised this year to eliminate as much repetition as possible • Remember to listen intently to all interview responses • The interview questions are designed to specifically answer each portion of the rubric

17. Interviews • Stick to the scripted questions, unless clarification is needed in order to fully understand the answer being given • Reserve questions based on curiosity or related to your own district’s implementation for lunch or make separate contact arrangements with the district for further discussion

18. Interviews • For example, if an interview subject says that one of the things they do not like about Q Comp is: “It takes too much time.” • A good follow-up question may be, “Why do you feel that way?” or “Could you explain more about that?” • When asking follow-up questions, keep in mind that they must be focused on clarification to understand how this places the district on the rubric

19. Interview • District Leadership Interview • Some of these questions may have been answered during the district presentation • If so, and the entire Peer Review team agrees, the question may be skipped in the interview • For example, if in the district presentation the hiring process for all career ladder positions is clearly and completely explained as are all of the career ladder positions, the first question on the Leadership interview may be skipped

20. Rubric • All indicators for a component must be checked for a component to meet expectations • All components must meet expectations for the district to advance to the next level

21. Rubric • The final determination if all indicators in a component meets expectations must be the consensus opinion of the entire Peer Review team • All team members should ensure that the correct consensus is recorded on the rubric by the facilitator before leaving the site

22. Rubric • The Alternative Salary Schedule component is no longer included on the Peer Review rubric • This is not a topic that tends to change greatly in implementation from what is in the application • Any issues with this component are most often compliance and not growth and will be handled through a separate process by MDE

23. Debriefing • During the final Peer Review team discussion, make sure that all of your comments are heard • This is a consensus process, the entire team must agree to all comments, and ratings • All notes must be turned in to the facilitator

24. Questions or Concerns • If you have any questions or concerns about the Peer Review process, please contact: • Kristie Anderson • 651-582-8860 or kristie.anderson@state.mn.us • John Gimpl • 651-582-8353 or john.gimpl@state.mn.us • Nicole Norton • 651-582-8267 or Nicole.I.Norton@state.mn.us • Patricia K. King • 651-582-8655 or Patricia.K.King@state.mn.us