Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hazelwood Educator Evaluation Taskforce?
Established in April 2011, the Hazelwood Educator Evaluation Taskforce was convened to collaboratively develop a teacher and principal evaluation system to help ensure that each and every student in Hazelwood School District (HSD) achieves maximum growth.
Who are the members of the Taskforce?
This Taskforce is comprised of teachers from all levels and various content areas, principals, district administrators, school board members, representatives from the Special School District, and HNEA.
Hazelwood Educator Evaluation Taskforce Members
External Experts and Facilitators:
Lisa Lachlan, Matthew Clifford, and Sara Wraight, American Institutes for Research (AIR)
Deanna Hill, Bonnie McIntosh, and Alyssa Rodriguez, West Wind Education Policy
Why redesign the system?
In 2010, HSD was awarded a School Improvement Grant to support a major improvement effort in Hazelwood East Middle School. Part of HSD’s winning grant proposal included a plan to redesign the district’s educator evaluation system.
There are a number of reasons we should redesign HSD’s educator evaluation system. We know that a well-
designed evaluation system can support professional growth and improve educator practice which in turn leads to better outcomes for our students. While HSD has a system in place, it is not meeting the needs of the HSD learning community. Survey, focus group, and interview data indicate that the current evaluation system does not provide educators with ongoing consistent feedback to improve instruction and is not connected to individualized professional development for most teachers. The Taskforce will be looking at the current system and determining which aspects are working well, and which need to be changed.
Federal and state policies are encouraging, and in some cases mandating, evaluation system reforms across the country. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is currently developing an evaluation system that may become a model for districts across the state. Throughout the 2011-2012 school year, DESE is seeking feedback from districts who are currently piloting the new system.
HSD wants to have the opportunity to design a system that aligns with our vision, mission, and priorities. The Taskforce believes that we will be able to design an innovative and effective system that has the potential to inform state and federal policies. In the course of redesigning the HSD system, the Taskforce will be using the standards and rubrics developed by DESE as a starting point. In addition, the Taskforce will provide feedback to DESE on how these standards and rubrics could be improved.
What does the Taskforce do?
The Taskforce participates in monthly meetings facilitated by external consultants. The Taskforce members study research and best practices from across the country and make recommendations for creating the components of a new evaluation system that better identifies, supports, and develops effective educators. The Taskforce members spend time outside of these meetings reading and examining data in order to inform their decisions. The Taskforce is also working to make sure that the redesigned system aligns with HSD’s mission, vision, and priorities.
What are the goals of the redesigned evaluation system?
The redesigned evaluation system should:
Foster the continuous professional development of educators in terms of increased knowledge and skills to improve student achievement,
Provide a framework that ensures educators meet the needs of district stakeholders and create fair and equitable conditions for students,
Be fair, differentiated, equitable and user-friendly, and
Establish and maintain a reflective dialogue between educators that recognizes strengths and weaknesses, which leads to improved performance
What is the timeline for the evaluation redesign?
The evaluation redesign will consist of multiple phases of work including planning, field testing and piloting, and rolling out the new evaluation system. The working timeline is as follows:
2011-12: Develop new framework for educator evaluation.
2012-13: Begin field testing and piloting in select schools.
2013-14: Additional piloting as needed; begin roll-out of the redesigned evaluation system.
Timing of full implementation is contingent upon the results of field testing and piloting as well as state and federal requirements. We will update you on specific dates as decisions are made.
What measures will the district use to evaluate educators?
The redesigned system will include measures of educator practice as well as measures of outcomes, including student achievement outcomes. The Taskforce is still determining which measures will be used and how they will relate to each other.
Who will evaluate educators under the new system?
One of the established goals for the redesigned system is that it will be “fair, differentiated, equitable and user-friendly.” We know that having knowledgeable and trained evaluators will be critical for meeting this goal. The Taskforce is still determining who will be responsible for evaluating teachers and principals and how they will be trained and supported.
How can my school become part of the pilot program?
The Taskforce is still determining the process for selecting schools to field test and/or pilot the redesigned system or components of the system.
Will student achievement be a part of my evaluation?
We know student achievement will be some part of the evaluation system, but the degree and method are yet to be determined.
How can I provide input?
We have already solicited your input through surveys and focus groups conducted in April and September of 2011. We will conduct additional surveys and focus groups as we work to design, pilot, and implement the new systems. You can provide ongoing input through the form http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22EAPKFGXED available on the Taskforce website or by e-mailing educatorevaluation@hazelwoodschools.org. In addition, Taskforce members are eager to learn about your ideas and discuss the work of the Taskforce – please feel free to connect with us individually.
How can I learn more?
The Taskforce wants to keep you informed as we move through this process. We are still very early in our work; details will be communicated as they are developed and finalized. There are several ways to stay informed. In addition to the information available on the website http://hazelwoodschools.org/AboutUs/HEET, you can also e-mail educatorevaluation@hazelwoodschools.org with questions. Currently, this e-mail is being monitored by an external facilitator. In addition, the Taskforce will be coordinating information sessions, providing e-mail updates, and disseminating materials to keep you informed.