Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/40928
DPAS II - Revised Update Getting DPASII- REVISED right for 2011-2012 4 out of 4 to be Effective? Question: I understand that we'll have to be rated "Satisfactory" in five out of five components, including an "Exceeds" rating in Component V in order to be rated "Highly Effective." And four out of the first four components to be rated "Effective." This means that, my performance will need to be perfect, which is more than what was expected this year and more than will be required in 2012- 2013! Why did DOE make this decision, and what is DSEA doing about it? Answer: When DoE and DSEA met in November of 2009 to discuss revi- sions to Component V, both parties agreed that for an educator to be rated "Highly Effective," he/she would have to be satisfactory in at least four of the five components, including more than a year's worth of student growth in Component V (later amended to a rating of "Exceeds" based on a 100 point scale). To be rated "Effective" the educator would have to be satis- factory in 3 out of the 5 compo- nents, including satisfactory stu- dent growth in Component V. For school year 2011-12, the interim year, our understanding was that the same rating system would be in place, i.e., a Satisfactory rating in 4 out of 5 components and a student growth rating of "Exceeds" to be "Highly Effective," and 3 out of 5 to be "Effective," with 5 not counting unless it allowed you to be consid- ered Highly Qualified. DoE trying to raise bar, contradicting our agree- ment regarding RTTT and student growth When DSEA questioned DOE about their decision to "raise the bar" for the interim year beyond what will be expected for school year 2012-13, DoE maintained that without Component V in play, the number of satisfactory components to be rated "Effective" must remain at four (the current number of Satisfactory components needed to be rated "Effective" during school year 2010-11), otherwise you will be "lowering the bar" if you make it three out of four. We maintain that it is unfair to expect perfection in order to rated "Highly Effective" and "Effective," and imposes an interim structure that does not reflect the intent or spirit of the agreement reached by the parties in 2009. Despite our concerns and despite the fact that this is not being required by USDoE, DoE submitted regulations to the State Board requiring a Satisfactory rating in 5 out of 5 components, including an "Exceeds" rating in Component 5 in order to be rated "Highly Effective" and a satisfactory rating in 4 out of 4 components for an "Effective" rat- ing. As went to press, DSEA leaders were seting up a meeting with Sec. Lowery and others to pursue making sure that the Summative Evaluation portion of the proposed regula- tion does not move forward. Following that meeting we may then need to submit a formal letter to the State Board as part of the "com- ment period" accorded all proposed regulation changes, as well as make our posiiton known in person at the September 15 monthly meeting. Administrator training Question: I heard that administra- tors won't be trained in person in the changes for DPASII-Revised; nor will teachers receive in-person train- ing. This wasn't what was prom- ised! I also heard that they only have to pass a quiz. That's not what "calibration" implies at all. Answer: The brief answer is that there will be both computer-based and in- person training available, with options given to districts as to what they offer above and beyond what is required this year. At a minimum, evaluators must complete four training modules (Introduction to DPASII; the Frameworks; the DPASII process for 2011-2012; and changes in Component 5) and pass all quizzes, which will be located on the eLearning web site. There is a bank of test items that will rotate so that no two evaluators will get the same quiz. And, there's a "three strikes and you're out" rule. If an evalua- tor does not pass the quiz after three tries, they cannot evaluate anyone next year. DoE officials tell us that there are no "calibration" tools ready yet to do what they still want to do, i.e., calibrate evaluators, ensuring that they are prepared to conduct effec- tive evaluations following the DPASII-Revised regulations and Guides. In-person training is also avail- able for all administrators and mandatory for all new administra- tors. In-person training will be offered three different ways. By : • "expert evaluators" (being trained now), • certified contractors hired by DoE; and • through DASL Regional Trainings. DASL is the Delaware Academy for School Leadership out of the University of Delaware. They provide various types of training for school leaders. 8 September 2011 DSEA ACTION! www.dsea.org ACTION!