Turning a Challenge into an Opportunity
01.12.12
The new Massachusetts Educator Evaluation Framework presents educational leaders with both a challenge and an opportunity. This system places student learning at the center of the process and is designed to ensure that every child is taught by an effective educator, and that every school is led by an effective leader.
TEACHERS21 is one of the seven organizations recently selected by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to join the Network of Educator Evaluation Partners (NEEP), the newly established group tasked with assisting districts in implementing the new regulations. As an organization that specializes in providing professional development to Massachusetts schools, we are currently assisting districts in planning for the new system by providing expert consultation and skill building on key features of the regulations including:
- using rubrics to analyze instruction
- promoting self assessment
- developing educator and team goals
- identifying evidence to inform judgements about the effectiveness of instruction
- conducting mid-year formative assessment conferences
- applying a collaborative approach to the implementation of the supervision and evaluation regulations.
Building on each district’s strengths we customize our programs to provide the technical content and adaptive skills required to effectively implement the new evaluation system. Our approach helps districts in three distinct areas:
Understand the new evaluation framework by
- Fostering a culture of self-assessment
- Beginning the process of examining and calibrating the rubric
- Building school-based administrators’ understanding of the standards.
Establishing a culture of continuous self improvement by
- Supporting a “growth” mindset
- Developing high functioning teams
- Creating a culture of reflection and inquiry.
Evaluating student learning through goal setting and evidence of learning by
- Formulating effective personal, professional and team SMART goals
- Assessing learning and student achievement.
Rather than a potential administrative burden, I firmly believe that the new Educator Evaluation Framework is an opportunity for every school and every district to advance leadership and learning and I look forward to seeing your comments.