Transcript Peer Assistance & Review

Dr. José M. Torres, Superintendent
Kathryn Castle, ETA President

Grant from NEA Foundation Institute for
Innovation in Teaching & Learning

Collaboration since fall 2010

The PAR Team:
◦ Attended NEA conferences
◦ Researched model PAR programs
◦ Developed PAR Program for U-46 (Stage 1)
IMODEL PAR PROGRAMS Rochester &
Syracuse
Minneapolis
Toledo
Cincinnati
San Juan
Montgomery
County

Furnish support for early career teachers

Implement improvement strategies for
struggling teachers to become effective


Identify professional learning opportunities
for effective teachers to become highly
effective
Include a process for ineffective teachers to
be recommended for dismissal
Commission on Effective Teachers and Teaching, Transforming Teaching:
Connecting Professional Responsibility with Student Learning (A Report to the NEA).
Washington, DC, 2011.

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Ensuring every U-46 student has an effective
teacher
Providing support for struggling teachers
Improving student achievement by
supporting teachers as they build their
knowledge and skills to become proficient

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Aligns to Teacher Appraisal Plan and Teacher
Mentor Program
Provides support for struggling teachers
Meets state requirements for professional
development plans for teachers rated as
“Needs Improvement”
Establishes a framework for future expansion
Needs
Improvement
on Summative
PAR PROCESS
DURING
STAGE 1
Teacher Self
Selects
(application)
PAR
Recommended
& PD Plan
developed
PAR
Panel
Human
Resources/
ETA Review
YES
Teacher
offered Peer
Assistance &
Review
Consulting
Teacher
Assigned
NO
Other PD Plan
to meet state
requirements
March 15,
2012
•Summative
Conferences are
finalized for all
pre-tenured
staff
By May 30,
2012
•PAR Panel
reviews
submissions &
determines
eligibility of
participants
June 1,
2012
•PAR Panel
informs
teachers who
submitted
application to
PAR,
appropriate
Administrators,
and TAP
Oversight
Committee of
all Teacher
Participants for
upcoming
school year.
September
30, 2012
•Benchmark
Conference
held. Teacher
participant can
invite PCT to be
at the
conference.

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3rd and 4th year teachers with a summative
state rating of “Needs Improvement”
3rd and 4th year teachers who request
additional assistance
2nd year teachers (former experienced new
teachers who had mentor for one year only)

8 appointed members by February 2012
◦ 4 ETA members
◦ 4 District administrators


Decisions by consensus
Reciprocal and collaborative relationship with
Teacher Appraisal Plan (TAP) Oversight
Committee

Determine PAR eligibility for teachers

Match nominee teachers with Peer Consulting
Teacher (PCT)

Establish and refine operating procedures,
documents, and forms

Review of professional development plans
submitted by nominee teachers

Conduct reconsideration of summative rating
when needed

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Full-time certified staff member
5 or more years of successful teaching, at
least 3 in U-46
Evidence of involvement as a leader in
committee work or mentoring

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Meet a minimum of 45 hours per semester
for observations/discussions with
participating teacher
Maintain log of contacts and support
provided
Work with participating teacher on
performance goals
Feedback to participating teacher after each
observation
Member
Position
Hilda Curda
Math & Science – Lead teacher
Abbie Eklund
Lowrie Elementary teacher
Andrea Erickson
Coordinator, TEI Department
Heather Fodor
Larkin High teacher
Maryellyn Friel
Heritage/Bartlett Elem. teacher
Melanie Meidel
Principal, South Elgin High
Nan Ochs
Director of Instruction/Secondary
Sylvia Rodriguez
ELL Coordinator
Tony Sanders
Chief of Staff
Ushma Shah
Chief of Equity and Social Justice
Armin Blaufuss
NEA Foundation Coach
Co-Chairs:
Dr. José M. Torres
Kathryn Castle


Appointment of, and training for, PAR Panel
Determination of demand based on
applications and summative ratings

Selection of Peer Consulting Teacher

PAR to begin in 2012/2013 school year