Professional Pathways for Teachers
Appraisal
Overview:
* Pending Board approval
Austin ISD has developed the Professional Pathways for Teachers (PPfT) Appraisal in response to the state’s requirement of a new teacher appraisal system for 2016-2017. The PPfT Appraisal is a multi-measure system that covers three areas:
Instructional Practice
- Two Announced Observations (one in the fall and one in the spring from two different appraisers)
- Three Classroom Visits (one in the fall, one in the spring and one at the appraiser’s discretion)
- Rubric covers seven strands of observable teaching behaviors
Professional Growth and Responsibilities
- Rubric that covers five strands related to professionalism
Student Growth
- Student Learning Objective (SLO)
- School-wide Value-added
Goals:
The ultimate goal of the new teacher appraisal system is to promote professional growth for all teachers, encourage more frequent, timely and formative feedback and to incorporate multiple indicators of success, including measures of student growth. The new appraisal system will:
- Foster open and collaborative campus cultures that focus on instructional growth, supportive and contextual feedback, and the development of individual and school wide practices that more effectively improve student learning;
- Incorporate multiple measures of teacher effectiveness including in- and out-of-classroom indicators, student learning growth, and teacher self-reflection; and
- Offer professional development that links to evaluation results.
PPfT Appraisal System Requirements:
- Reflect Austin ISD’s priorities and values;
- Treat teaching as a profession;
- Promote collaboration;
- Provide for the continual professional development of teachers;
- Support student achievement and growth;
- Consider research and best practice;
- Be fair, reliable, equitable, and humanistic;
- Consider all teaching positions;
- Reflect multiple aspects of teaching;
- Be feasible and easily understood;
- Evolve as a work in progress; and
- Work as a part of the larger Professional Pathways for Teachers system.
What Teachers are Saying:
Alonzo Blankenship, Webb Middle School
“Similar to how multiple puzzle pieces are needed to see the big picture, multiple observations are needed to truly understand a teacher's effectiveness. I appreciate the PPfT because it leads us away from the managerial system of box checking and directs us toward meaningful conversation. Through productive dialogue, capacity is built.”
Katelyn Reinhart, Sunset Valley Elementary
Rosalie Ip, Houston Elementary
PPfT Appraisal Resources:
- The AISD PPfT Appraisal Website provides links to resources for instructional practice, appraisal rubrics, timelines and the support guide.
- The PPfT Appraisal Support Guide provides detailed information about components and policies, as well as directions and guidelines for how to complete the appraisal.
- The Instructional Practices Online Resource Site provides a teacher toolkit for each strand of the rubric, links to instructional strategies, links to videos of expected standard and above expected standard teaching, a classroom showcase of AISD teachers and recommended reading for teachers.
- HCP includes appraisal resources, professional development opportunities and access to Edivation videos.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What will make this system different?
The ultimate goal of the new teacher evaluation system is to promote professional growth for all teachers, encourage more frequent, timely and formative feedback and to incorporate multiple indicators of success. The new evaluation system will:
- Foster open and collaborative campus cultures that focus on instructional growth, supportive and contextual feedback, and the development of individual and school wide practices that more effectively improve student learning;
- Incorporate multiple measures of teacher effectiveness including in- and out-of-classroom indicators, student learning growth, and teacher self-reflection; and
- Offer professional development that links to evaluation results.
2. What are Student Learning Objectives (SLOs)?
SLOs are goals for individual student growth that teachers set at the beginning of a course and strive to achieve by the end. Each Learning Objective is targeted in an area of high need based on a thorough review of available data, and must meet standards for rigor and verifiability.
3. What do teachers get out of the new appraisal system?
The new appraisal system aims to help teachers improve to the benefit of the students in the classroom. The PPfT Appraisal will assist teachers in numerous ways:
- Teachers will have control of student growth piece via SLO.
- Teachers will have ample chances to show off excellent teaching.
- Teachers will have access to meaningful PD that ties back to the appraisal to meet individual needs and opportunities for leadership growth.
4. How often will teachers be observed?
The PPfT Appraisal requires two announced observations (30 minute minimum) by two different appraisers during the school year: One in fall and one in spring. The appraisal also requires at least three classroom visits each year: One in fall, one in spring and one at the appraiser’s discretion.
5. When will the PPfT Appraisal begin?
The PPfT Appraisal is scheduled for implementation in 2016-2017 pending Board approval.
PPfT Appraisal
Email: PPFT@austinisd.org
Website: http://www.austinisd.org/ppft/new-teacher
Location: 1111 W 6th St, Austin, TX, United States
Phone: 512-414-9562