Teacher Evaluation Services
21st Century Teacher/Principal Evaluation
This is the newest of services being offered by the Foundation. The Foundation recognizes that the Race To The Top legislation has placed new demands on building principals and central office personnel particularly in the area of teacher and principal evaluation. The Foundation seeks to alleviate some of the demands on principals by assisting in the teacher evaluation process. This service is individualized to the needs of the client district. There are contractual issues that must be addressed in this evaluation process and thus there is need to work with the unique needs of each client.
Classroom Observations: Our services can vary in description depending on the needs of the client. For example, the Foundation can provide classroom observation services as part of the evaluation process. The typical evaluation process includes at least two formal observation sessions as part of the written evaluation system. The Foundation will use a Madeline Hunter Model approach to this observation process. The current approach in many districts is the Charlotte Danielson model which is very similar to the Madeline Hunter models. Two of the lead Foundation personnel were trained in the Madeline Hunter Program for Effective Teaching and are both former building principals experienced in using this model in the classroom observation/coaching process. The Foundation plans to take advantage of a cadre of recently retired School Principals, Curriculum Directors and Master Teachers trained in the Hunter/Danielson Models to provide this classroom observation process.
The Building Principal is the key to effective teaching in the building and should not be completely removed from the observation/evaluation process. However the Foundation services can assist the principal in this process.
1. For example the Foundation personnel might conduct one of the two observations.
2. The Foundation could provide classroom observation services for tenured teachers, while the building principal handles the observation for probationary teachers.
3. Or share the observations of both groups. Whatever the approach, it will be tailored the unique needs of the client and whatever contractual issues need to be addressed.
Performance Data Analysis –The Race To The Top legislation also requires that as part of the evaluation process, an analysis of student performance data be included in the individual teacher’s evaluation along with observations. This process will place demands on school personnel time and some districts may not be sufficiently staffed to handle the analysis of linking teaching methodologies and instructional delivery to student performance data. The Foundation can assist building administrators in linking this data analysis process leading to effective teaching and increased student performance.
The Foundation has experience assisting districts and buildings failing to meet AYP by utilizing the Hunter Model approach to teacher coaching and effective teacher instruction which has resulted in improving student classroom performance and removal from the Failing Schools list.
The Foundation will be happy to meet with interested K-12 and Intermediate Districts to explore options for assisting in meeting the demands of Race To The Top legislation.
Contact Information: Dr. Daniel C. Pratley, Executive Director
Phone: 269-674-3426
e-mail: dpratley@vbisd.org
Address: Van Buren Research and Development Foundation
750 S Paw Paw St PO Box 245
Lawrence, MI 49064