1. Evaluation of Teachers & Principals (APPR)
Presentation to the Board of Education
May 5, 2015
Presented by: Dr. Lisa M. Krueger

2. APPRs Now and in the Future:2014-15 & 2015-16
Status update – where are we now?
Developments regarding APPRs in light of
March 23, 2015 memo from NYSED
Test Refusals and their impact on APPRs
Looking ahead – anticipated changes for

3. March 23, 2015 memo from NYSED
In response to the ESEA Waiver, which allows district to not double test 8th grade math students enrolled in Algebra 1 (Common Core):
The Department has been working to prepare SGPs for students in 8th grade who take only the Regents Examination in Algebra 1 and do not take the 8th grade NYS Common Core Math Assessment. This will allow students enrolled in Algebra 1 in 8th grade to contribute to their teachers’ and principals’ State- provided growth scores.
In other words, yes, the rules of how some teacher’s SGP will be calculated was changed mid-year (on March 23, 2015).

4. State’s Guidance on Test Refusals
4/22/15 phone call with NYSED representative, Benjamin Fox
To receive a State provided growth score, a teacher must have 16 valid scores (n=16)
Teachers who may no longer receive a State provided growth score due to falling below n=16, must write a back-up SLO.
Suggestions:
Write the SLO as soon as possible
Use historical data to set individual growth targets
Use the state assessment as outcome – even if n=less than 16!
If no students in the class took the assessment, consider alternatives such as a school-wide measure (i.e. group metric)

5. Questions regarding changes in 2014-15?

6. Looking ahead to
Board of Regents to prepare regulations detailing the changes to be released by June 30, 2015.
There a numerous changes to the current APPR regulations anticipated.
Likely, the APPR MOAs and subsequent Assessment Committee as we know it will no longer be relevant after June 30, 2015.

7. Wait!…..
BOR Chancellor Merryl Tisch said this was delayed until September 2016, right?
WGRZ Buffalo, April 22, 2015

8. Yes, and no….
Later on 4/22/15, Cuomo's counsel, Alphonso David, criticized Tisch's actions, saying a delay would be disregarding the law.
In other words, the Board of Regents wants to delay implementation until September 2016 but the Governor is apparently not altering his timeline.

9. Plan for the Worst, Hope for the Best
Plan for changes in ;
Negotiations with OPTA will likely occur sometime following June 30 release of regulations.

10. Important Dates
April 1 - All collective bargaining agreements entered into after April 1, 2015 must be consistent with the new requirements
June 30 – BOR/NYSED to release regulations
September 1 – Recommended deadline for local negotiating to conclude; districts enter plans into State’s review room
November 15 – Districts much implement new APPR system – meaning plans must be negotiated, signatures from parties and approval by SED or forfeit their state aid increase

11. What We Can Anticipate:
The following is not anticipated to change in our current APPR practices:
The Danielson rubric, our assessment tool, is anticipated for continued approval for use by NYS.
There will still be a final composite score for teachers, and assignment into a HEDI rating, however, scoring ranges will be set by the State.
Most other areas of the process and composite score calculation will have changes!

12. Anticipated Changes: Probationary Period of Employment
Probationary period extended from 3 to 4 years for teachers & principals
Clarification to strengthen a district’s authority to remove a probationary educator at any time for any legally permissible reason
Candidates must have been rated effective or highly effective in 3 of their 4 years of probationary status
The candidate cannot be ineffective in the 4th year, although a probationary period may be extended to a 5th year

13. CURRENT Evaluation Composite Score Calculations for Teachers

14. NEW Evaluation Composite Score Calculations for Teachers

15. Prohibited from consideration
Lesson plans as evidence of student development or effectiveness
Artifacts of teacher practice
Student portfolios (except for portfolios measured by a state-approved rubric)
Parent/student surveys or other forms of feedback tools
Goal setting as evidence of effectiveness
Any district or regionally-developed assessment that is not approved by SED.

16. What Will Measure Student Performance?
State-created or administered tests and SLOs
Anticipated that group metrics based on state assessments will still be acceptable
Optional state-designed/approved supplemental assessments*
*If collectively bargained, the optional second subcomponent must be applied across the district
Potential to be a substantial unfunded mandate

17. Teacher Observations Now includes up to 3 sub-components
2 non-negotiable components
Classroom observations carried out by a principal or administrator (one observation minimum)
Second observation by an “impartial independent trained evaluator” (who may be employed within the same school district, but not the same school building as the teacher being evaluated) or by evaluators selected by the district
1 negotiable component to consider
A subcomponent “may” be included for classroom observations conducted by a trained peer teacher rated effective or highly effective from the same school or from another school within the district – subject to collective bargaining.

18. Principal Evaluations
Commissioner is charged with revising the principal evaluation system.
Prohibited areas for teacher evaluations also apply to principals
Goal setting
Artifacts
Parent/students surveys or other such feedback tools

19. Other Key Elements of the Law
SED takeover and restructuring of failing schools (lowest 5% of academic performance for two or more consecutive years)
Receiver is authorized to abolish all teaching, support staff, administration, and pupil personnel providers assigned to the school, and require such staff members to reapply for new positions.
Expedited part 83 for individuals convicted of violent felony offenses against a child.

20. Other Key Elements of the Law
Districts may bring charges of incompetence after 2 ratings of ineffective
Districts shall bring charges of incompetence after 3 rating of ineffective
Students cannot be taught by an ineffective teacher for 2 consecutive years

21. Where to go from here Wait for more information on June 30, 2015
Following negotiations with OPTA and OPPA the plan will be submitted to the state for review/approval
If the plans or a local MOA necessitates an on-going APPR or an Assessment Committee, representatives will be secured and meetings scheduled in accordance with the plan
If, by chance, this is all delayed until September 2016, the Assessment Committee may need to meet in if we are at status quo

22. Questions?