Pre-Evaluation Conference

Today I had my pre-evaluation conference.  I had the opportunity to have one in a group meeting or one-on-one with my Evaluation and Assessment Coordinator (EAC, a new job position for our county who is in charge of organizing the TKES process - and probably the new standardized tests).  I requested a one-on-one after our meeting because I heard in the meeting that the administrators/evaluators had actually reviewed our TKES/TAPS self-assessment and would use that information in working with us--that caught my attention, and I decided I wanted to know how my self-assessment would impact me.

After our conference, I got every impression that the self-evaluation would serve as areas of "strengths" and "weaknesses" for them to review as part of their observations.  In addition, I got every impression that the observers would be very careful to notice each and every aspect of the 72 TAPS (Teacher Assessment on Performance Standards) indicators - even though they are not a checklist!  (so they say....)  As we were discussing the impending initial observations, whether they had to printed & in a notebook or could be available on the SmartBoard when requested, it became evident that I should show my EAC what my lesson plans looked like.  She had indicated that "if it isn't in the lesson plan and isn't seen, then the observer would have to ask for further documentation" (I think there is a 24 hour window there to provide documentation).  She reviewed my lesson plan for today, I showed her the different elements, and she seemed like everything the observer would need to see was in there.  When she had a question about, "Where is the differentiation ____?" I showed her where it was, and she seemed satisfied.

I've added about 5 more documents for my notebook (today), will add the summative assessment results from tomorrow to show "data to support differentiation," and will add a couple more articles from research organizations re: 1) Does requiring more math classes each day help kids who struggle with math?  (Answer, No.), 2) Has requiring more math and science classes in the high school increased America's rank in math/science & preparation for the high-tech job market?  (Answer, No.)

Summary: take this very seriously; document everything, put a number on the back of each paper indicating which indicator(s) it will satisfy (i.e., 9.5); create or use a comprehensive lesson plan that has each TAPS element you can put in there.  If you need suggestions, look here or e-mail if you need one specifically for you....

Thanks for checking in.  If you have specific questions, please feel free to e-mail me at: gcason123@gmail.com and I'll get to you as soon as I can.

For those drowning in education acronyms, let me add this in what I believe is hierarchical form:

• TKES: Teacher Keys Effectiveness System is the entirely new evaluation system passed by the Georgia legislature that will be used for all Georgia teachers of record.  It replaces GTOI....oops, sorry: the Georgia Teacher Observation Instrument  :-)
• TAPS: Teacher Assessment on Performance Standards is the set of 10 Standards and 72 Elements/Indicators (not to be used as a checklist) that outline an effective teacher's actions.
• EAC: Evaluation and Assessment Coordinator is a new position in our county, barely similar to the "Instructional Lead Teacher" (ILT) from years ago, that helps coordinate the TKES training, SLO administration, and coordination between the administrators, county, and teachers.  If you don't have one specifically, who is helping you out?
• SLO: Student Learning Objectives is the set of concepts &/or skills (written &/or performed), written by your county teachers, given in a pre-test/post-test format to gauge the amount of student achievement under a specific teacher's direct instruction in non-standardized testing subjects (Connections, non-academic classes, non-CRCT classes, etc.)  The number and amount of student achievement gain will have a significant impact on a teacher's year end evaluation.

If you think I could be helpful to you, your teachers, or your administrators, please feel free to contact me.