Question: How should I give my pre-test? When? What about test security? Who will grade our post-tests?

Response: You should give your pre-test as soon as practical when the school year begins. To the extent practicable, you should have someone else proctor and grade your pre-test. Multiple choice questions should be graded by a scantron to ensure objectivity (secondary level).  Many departments already have protocols in place for post-test (final exam/Regents) test security. Similar practices will be adopted in places where post-tests must now be given due to the APPR law. Again, the general rule is “when practical”. It is clear that we will need to refine and clarify these practices for the future. Also, the district has created a “script” to read before you give the pre-test to students. It should have been provided to you at this point. 

Question: Where did my pre-test come from? 

Response: Your pre-test came either from your colleagues during summer curriculum time or you have created (or will) create it yourself. 

Question: Can we use these same assessments (pre-test/post-test) the following year?

Response: As with any teaching material, pre/post tests will be analyzed after use to determine validity and refined to correct weaknesses. We want the information gathered from the pre-tests to be as valuable as possible for instruction, so we may want to refine them in the future.

Question: How do I determine who my SLO population is?

Response: Your rosters will be finalized (for SLO purposes) on October 3rd (BEDS Day). Only fall enrollment is considered. To determine which classes specifically count towards your SLO, use the District/TA created Record Sheet (handed out at the faculty meetings at both primary and secondary levels). The District and TA have also worked together to answer questions about Special Education teachers and SLO’s. 

Question: Why do half year courses use BEDS day to determine their SLO’s?

Response: From the NYSED Guidance Document on the APPR:

(Page 40) 

“D25. What is the date when the 50% rule is set for SLOs? That is, do we count students 

based on who is there on the first day of school or BEDS day?

The student population for SLOs is set on BEDS day.”

Question: Are co-teachers teachers of record?

Response: Yes. Co-teachers are teachers of record and their SLO will reflect that (ie. special education teachers in co-taught classrooms will have the same targets/goals as the general education teachers). 

Question: Which administrator should we work with to help us determine if we are choosing the correct SLO's? What are the District/building rules for how specific SLOs will get set? 

Response: You will be assigned a lead evaluator. In most cases, the lead evaluator will be your immediate supervisor (K-12 or principal). The lead evaluator will work with you to determine your SLO goals based on your pre-test data. It is best if you have pre-test data/scores before you try to determine what your SLO will be. The District and the TA have worked together to construct a few different approaches to SLO goals that make sense for us. Supervisors are aware of those approaches. The District/TA have also provided to supervisors a modified version of the state SLO template to help with the process. 

Question: Can we see the new 2011 Danielson Rubric used for observations/Teachscape?

Response: The TA has scanned and created a digital version of the rubric (see below link). (It is a large download: 55.8 MB). You will be given a paper copy at an upcoming district training. 

[ https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B2X3_BD-hICUTnVLYkRJMTIwd28 ]https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B2X3_BD-hICUTnVLYkRJMTIwd28

Question: Is the only difference between a formal observation & an informal observation that one is scheduled & the other involves the supervisor "popping in"?

Response: There are significant differences. Both require evidence based observation techniques using the Teachscape software. You will write a lesson plan for the formal observation (on a district provided template). Obviously, that will not be the case for the informal lesson. Both observations will require a 250 word (less than a page) reflection written on a District/TA provided template. The formal observation requires a post-observation conference. The informal does not require a post-conference but one may be requested by either party. There are other date/time deadlines as well detailed below. 

Question: Can an informal observation be done during while I am showing a video or giving a test? How long will it last?

Response: The observing administrator will enter the teacher’s classroom at a time of their choosing. If the teacher is giving an exam or other activity that does not lend itself to observation, the administrator may come back at a later date. The unannounced observation will be approximately 10 to 15 minutes long, however administrators may stay longer at their discretion

Question: Guidance Counselors are still unaware of how we will be evaluated in the APPR process. Will we be evaluated this year under a new format?

Response: For Guidance Counselors and other similar service providers where state assessments or SLO pre-test/post-tests are impractical, a similar evaluation process will be used without the student growth component of the APPR. That means observations (formal and informal) and an evidence folder. More details will be forthcoming from your supervisors. 

Question: When does the Charlotte Danielson and Teachscape "before October 15th" training take place? 

Response: 

Danielson 2011 Training- 45 min to an hour.

- September 24: Kate will provide training @ Secondary Faculty Meeting in HS Auditorium from 3:00-4:00 (but open to all) ** This training will be videotaped and posted online for future training. 

- October 10: Kate will provide training @ Elementary Faculty Meeting from 3:30-4:30 at Pashley (but open to all)

- Online Training- (open to all)

Question: If a formal observation date is agreed upon by the teaching professional and observer through Teachscape, what happens if a teacher is absent that day or if an administrator (i.e. Assistant Principal) has to cancel for an unscheduled event (something that requires disciplinary action)? Is it going to be easy to reschedule with so many observations to be done? 

Response: These situations will undoubtedly arise over the course of the year. It is our hope that we will work together as professionals to come to reasonable solutions. Teachers and administrators may agree, on a case by case basis, to wave scheduling deadlines when unavoidable emergencies or unplanned absences occur.

Question: What happens to the "publishing privacy of teachers' scores" afforded us by law when scores are released to parents? 

Response: The new privacy law says only finally determined composite ratings may be disclosed to parents of students in a teacher's class at their request. This information is not part of the public record. Scores will not be released to parents en mass. 

Question: Is the portfolio still a requirement for untenured teachers since many of the components are duplicative in the APPR process?

Response: Previously completed portfolios are part of upcoming tenure considerations. No additional portfolios will be created. This has been superseded by the evidence folder moving forward. 

Question: What are the timetables for observations? 

Response: 

Formal Observation-

- By October 1st, teachers will be informed of which administrator will be formally observing them.

- Teachers will have two weeks notice of when the formal observation will take place unless otherwise mutually agreed upon.

- The teacher and the observing administrator will meet within five days before the formal observation in a ~pre-conference lasting approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Prior to this meeting, teachers will provide a formal lesson plan using the district provided format. 

- The teacher and the observing administrator will meet within five school days of the formal observation in a post-conference lasting approximately 20 to 30 minutes. One day prior to this meeting, the teacher will provide a formal one page reflection of the lesson using the district provided format (to also be included in the evidence folder).

- Within 10 school days of the post-conference, The administrator will provide a formal, evidence based write-up (aided by Teachscape). The administrator will share evidence and the teacher’s observation score (out of 30). 

- Teachers will not be observed after June 1st unless otherwise mutually agreed upon.

Informal Observation-

- The observing administrator will enter the teacher’s classroom at a time of their choosing. If the teacher is giving an exam or other activity that does not lend itself to observation, the administrator may come back at a later date.

- The unannounced observation will be approximately 10 to 15 minutes long, however administrators may stay longer at their discretion. 

- Within three school days, the teacher will provide a formal one page (approximately 250 words) reflection of the entire lesson using the district provided format (to also be included in the evidence folder). The teacher and the observing administrator may meet within five school days of the unannounced observation in an approximate 10 to 15 minute post-conference upon request from either party. 

- Within 10 school days, the administrator will provide a formal, evidence based write-up (aided by Teachscape). The administrator will share evidence and the teacher’s observation score (out of 10).