SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING * *

The GLOUCESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

__________________________________________________________________________________

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING

Wednesday, March 30, 2011 8:00 pm

(Immediately following the Public Hearing scheduled at 7:00 pm in the Fuller Auditorium) School Committee Chambers — District Office

6 School House Road, Gloucester, MA 01930 AGENDA

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. SALUTE TO THE FLAG

III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS

A. Scheduled Oral Communications B. Unscheduled Oral Communications IV. COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIRPERSON

V. RECOGNITIONS

VI STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL

Kelly Benson, Lauren Palazola, and Moriah O’Neill

______________________________________________________________________________

VII. CONSENT AGENDA

A. Approval of Minutes

* 1. School Committee Meeting of March 16, 2011 (Minutes to follow).

B. Schedule of Future Meetings

Public Hearing/School Committee – Wednesday, March 30, 2011, at 7:00 pm Location: Fuller School Auditorium

* ^Agenda: See attached agenda

Program Sub-Committee – Friday, April 1, 2011, at 9:45 am Location: Superintendent’s Conference Room

Agenda: To be announced

School Committee Meeting Agenda of March 30, 2011 — Page 2

School Committee – Wednesday, April 13, 2011, at 7:00 pm Location: Kyrouz Auditorium – City Hall

Agenda: To be announced

Building & Finance Sub-Committee – Wednesday, April 20, 2011, at 4:45 pm Location: Superintendent’s Conference Room

NOTE: To be confirmed – School Vacation Week School Committee – Wednesday, April 27, 2011, at 7:00 pm Location: Kyrouz Auditorium – City Hall

Agenda: To be announced

* ^C. Acceptance of Scholarship

To accept the Stanley F. Brown Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $2,500.

D. Acceptance of Grants 1. DESE Grants

* a. Identifying and Disseminating

Effective District and School Practices from Title I Schools that Narrow the Achievement Gap for

Students from Low Income Families $10,000.

* b. Level 3 District and School Assistance $27,395.

* c. Level 3 District and School Assistance $ 5,338.

* d. Level 3 District and School Assistance $ 6,476.

* e. Green in the Middle Curriculum Development $ 5,000.

* f. Race to the Top – Vertical SIF Implementation $13,220.

2. North Shore Community Health Network Grant

* ^a. Gloucester Grows $ 9,500.

______________________________________________________________________________

VIII. REPORTS/DELIBERATIONS ON EDUCATIONAL ISSUES

A. Review of School Improvement Plan for 2011/2012 - Veterans’ Memorial

Elementary School — Principal Cherylann Parker

School Committee Meeting Agenda of March 30, 2011 — Page 3

IX. SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS

* ^A. Special Building & Finance Sub-Committee Report of March 7, 2011 — Chairperson Clancy (Minutes to follow – Note: Chairperson Clancy gave an oral report at the March 16

School Committee Meeting)

X. DISCUSSION

* ^A. School Food Service February Monthly Report

B. Governance Meeting Agenda Preparation for May 21, 2011, with Superintendent-Elect, Dr. Richard Safier

C. Day on the Hill – Report to the School Committee XI. ACTION

A. FY 2012 Operating Budget

To discuss reactions and comments to the Public Hearing.

* ^B. Administrative Protocol Policy

Second Reading of File CFB and GBEBC “Administrative Protocol when Dealing with Serious Criminal and/or Legal Incidents”.

* ^C. School Calendar/Modified FY 2011-2012 To approve the FY 2011-2012 School Calendar.

XII. OTHER COMMUNICATION

A. For Your Information

* 1. “Building a Breakthrough Framework for Educator Evaluation in the Commonwealth” from DESE (Electronic copy only).

* 2. Professional Licensure – Thomas Markham, Chief Finance Officer.

* 3. MASC Testimony in Support of House – 36, An Act Further Strengthening

School Committee Meeting Agenda of March 30, 2011 — Page 4

XIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION

A. To receive an update on contract negotiations with union and non-union personnel.

XIV. ADJOURNMENT

* Attachments

The GLOUCESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

__________________________________________________________________________________

6 School House Road Tel: 978-281-9800

Gloucester, Massachusetts 01930 Fax: 978-281-9899

www.gloucesterschools.com

School Committee

Public Hearing on the FY 2012 Operating Budget

Wednesday, March 30, 2011 Fuller School Auditorium

7:00 p.m.

I. Salute to the Flag II. Introduction

School Committee Chairperson — Valerie Gilman III. The Proposed FY 2012 Budget

School Committee Chairperson — Valerie Gilman Interim Superintendent of Schools — Joseph Connelly IV. Public Comments and Suggestions

V. Adjournment

N otes f or P articipants

1. If you wish to speak, please line up at the microphone at the front of the Auditorium. You will have up to three (3) minutes to speak.

2. If you speak, please begin by stating your name clearly.

3. Comments will be restricted to adults.

4. A record of comments and suggestions will be made for consideration at the School Committee Meeting on April 13, 2011.

5. If you have brought a prepared statement, please hand it to the

Committee Secretary, Maria Puglisi, as part of the public record.

The Gloucester Public Schools Food Service Department

Annual Budget Plan and

Monthly Income and Expense Report 2010-20011

Budget Actuals Budget Actuals Budget Actuals Budget Actuals Budget Actuals Budget Actuals

Days of Service 19 19 1 1 20 20 18 18 16 16 15 14

Average Daily Participation 2,150 2,041 2,443 2,339

Percent Participation 66.3% 63.0% 75.4% 72.2%

Revenues

Cash/Counter Sales $ 390,960 $ 249 $ 249.00 $ - $ - $ 51,467 $ 51,466.75 $ 39,164 $ 39,163.92 $ 32,560 $ 32,560.42 $ 35,376 $ 27,271.21 Catering/Ala Carte Sales $ 364,015 $ 15,225 $ 15,222.17 $ 1,640 $ 1,634.75 $ 43,141 $ 43,149.04 $ 22,706 $ 22,706.05 $ 32,370 $ 32,369.94 $ 31,817 $ 28,880.87 Govt Reimbursements $ 444,247 $ 2,672 $ 2,672.42 $ 2,008 $ 2,008.17 $ 50,068 $ 50,143.40 $ 52,394 $ 52,393.62 $ 47,000 $ 50,067.89 $ 38,361 $ 47,056.12 Vending Sales/Commissions $ 16,902 $ - $ - $ 100 $ 74.24 $ - $ - $ 1,227 $ 1,226.94 $ 1,302 $ 1,302.04 $ 2,015 $ 930.52 Sales Tax $ (3,125) $ - $ - $ - $ - $ (164) $ (163.65) $ (178) $ (177.74) $ (176) $ (175.77) $ (373) $ (390.18) Total Operating Revenues $ 1,212,999 $ 18,146 $ 18,143.59 $ 3,748 $ 3,717.16 $ 144,512 $ 144,595.54 $ 115,313 $ 115,312.79 $ 113,057 $ 116,124.52 $ 107,197 $ 103,748.54 Expenses

Payroll - Salary $ 65,000 $ 5,000 $ 5,000.00 $ 5,000 $ 5,000.00 $ 5,000 $ 5,000.00 $ 6,250 $ 6,250.00 $ 5,000 $ 5,000.00 $ 6,250 $ 6,250.00 Payroll - Hourly Wages $ 503,616 $ 1,955 $ 1,954.68 $ 9,374 $ 9,374.11 $ 38,863 $ 38,863.34 $ 53,335 $ 53,335.14 $ 42,728 $ 42,728.38 $ 47,254 $ 69,867.28 Health Insurance Contribution $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Product Cost of Food $ 562,964 $ 8,806 $ 8,806.45 $ 18,662 $ 18,661.76 $ 7,785 $ 7,785.37 $ 72,675 $ 72,674.74 $ 13,823 $ 13,823.15 $ 58,342 $ 89,155.63 Repair & Maintenance $ 25,000 $ - $ - $ 4,040 $ 4,040.46 $ 8,760 $ 8,760.48 $ 2,137 $ 2,136.89 $ 1,976 $ 1,976.18 $ 1,069 $ 1,987.34 Mileage $ 2,436 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 244 $ - $ 244 $ 33.79 $ 244 $ 58.94 $ 244 $ 56.20 Vehicle Maintenance $ 2,496 $ 208 $ - $ 208 $ - $ 208 $ - $ 208 $ - $ 208 $ - $ 208 $ - Office Supplies $ 650 $ - $ - $ 300 $ - $ 150 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Paper Goods $ 19,637 $ - $ - $ 1,212 $ 1,212.42 $ 760 $ 860.65 $ 1,509 $ 1,608.89 $ 4,446 $ 5,445.77 $ 1,290 $ 8,440.72 USDA Charges $ 9,200 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Conference/Travel/Dues $ 500 $ - $ - $ 100 $ 80.00 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 140 $ 100.00 Staff Training $ 500 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Small wares/equipment $ 1,000 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 200 $ - $ - $ - $ 200 $ - $ - $ - Total Operating Expenses $ 1,192,999 $ 15,969 $ 15,761.13 $ 38,897 $ 38,368.75 $ 61,970 $ 61,269.84 $ 136,358 $ 136,039.45 $ 68,625 $ 69,032.42 $ 114,797 $ 175,857.17 Program Improvement Expenses

POS Maint/Upgrades $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Kitchen Equip Replacement $ 20,000 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Total Improvement Expenses $ 20,000 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Total Expenses $ 1,212,999 $ 15,969 $ 15,761.13 $ 38,897 $ 38,368.75 $ 61,970 $ 61,269.84 $ 136,358 $ 136,039.45 $ 68,625 $ 69,032 $ 114,797 $ 175,857.17 Total Revenues $ 1,212,999 $ 18,146 $ 18,143.59 $ 3,748 $ 3,717.16 $ 144,512 $ 144,595.54 $ 115,313 $ 115,312.79 $ 113,057 $ 116,125 $ 107,197 $ 103,748.54 Net Profit & Loss $ 0 $ 2,177 $ 2,382.46 $ (35,149) $ (34,651.59) $ 82,542 $ 83,325.70 $ (21,045) $ (20,726.66) $ 44,431 $ 47,092 $ (7,601) $ (72,108.63)

Carry over Revolving Balance $ 33,075 $ 33,075 $ 35,457 $ 805 $ 84,131 $ 63,404 $ 110,497

Net Revolving Balance $ 33,075 $ 35,457 $ 805 $ 84,131 $ 63,404 $ 110,497 $ 38,388

August-10 September-10 October-10

July-10 November-10 December-10

Fy2011 Budget SC Approved

The Gloucester Public Schools Food Service Department

Annual Budget Plan and

Monthly Income and Expense Report 2010-20011

% of Rev.

Budget Actuals Budget Actuals Budget Actuals Budget Actuals Budget Actuals Budget Actuals Budget Actuals

20 17 14 13 21 0 16 0 21 0 10 0 191 118

2,164 2,460

67% 76%

45,522

$ $ 38,626.00 $ 33,165 $ 25,604.79 $ 50,853 $ - $ 35,376 $ - $ 47,733 $ - $ 19,495 $ - $ 390,960 $ 214,942.09 30.95%

41,432

$ $ 18,170.31 $ 31,504 $ 20,888.76 $ 47,397 $ - $ 33,477 $ - $ 43,420 $ - $ 19,886 $ - $ 364,015 $ 183,021.89 26.36%

47,951

$ $ 39,802.63 $ 35,963 $ 46,075.91 $ 55,144 $ - $ 38,361 $ - $ 50,349 $ - $ 23,976 $ - $ 444,247 $ 290,220.16 41.80%

2,043

$ $ 2,290.02 $ 2,043 $ 1,554.17 $ 2,043 $ - $ 2,043 $ - $ 2,043 $ - $ 2,043 $ - $ 16,902 $ 7,377.93 1.06%

(373)

$ $ (156.41) $ (373) $ (113.14) $ (373) $ - $ (373) $ - $ (373) $ - $ (373) $ - $ (3,125) $ (1,176.89) -0.17%

136,576

$ $ 98,732.55 $ 102,303 $ 94,010.49 $ 155,064 $ - $ 108,884 $ - $ 143,172 $ - $ 65,027 $ - $ 1,212,999 $ 694,385.18 100.00%

5,000

$ $ 5,000.00 $ 5,000 $ 5,000.00 $ 5,000 $ - $ 6,250 $ - $ 5,000 $ - $ 6,250 $ - $ 65,000 $ 42,500.00 6.12%

59,068

$ $ 43,029.40 $ 44,301 $ 44,703.64 $ 67,928 $ - $ 47,254 $ - $ 62,021 $ - $ 29,534 $ - $ 503,616 $ 303,855.97 43.76%

-

$ $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - 0.00%

80,765

$ $ 31,353.27 $ 61,037 $ 13,595.56 $ 84,787 $ - $ 53,066 $ - $ 69,362 $ - $ 33,854 $ - $ 562,964 $ 255,855.93 36.85%

1,100

$ $ 516.61 $ 1,336 $ 4,221.41 $ 1,270 $ - $ 1,403 $ - $ 1,233 $ - $ 675 $ - $ 25,000 $ 23,639.37 3.40%

244

$ $ - $ 244 $ - $ 244 $ - $ 244 $ - $ 244 $ - $ 244 $ - $ 2,436 $ 148.93 0.02%

208

$ $ - $ 208 $ - $ 208 $ - $ 208 $ - $ 208 $ - $ 208 $ - $ 2,496 $ - 0.00%

200

$ $ - $ - $ 1,882.57 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 650 $ 1,882.57 0.27%

2,717

$ $ 1,611.80 $ 1,689 $ 1,675.00 $ 2,077 $ - $ 1,133 $ - $ 2,804 $ - $ - $ - $ 19,637 $ 20,855.25 3.00%

4,600

$ $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 4,600 $ - $ 9,200 $ - 0.00%

-

$ $ - $ 20 $ - $ 60 $ - $ 60 $ - $ 60 $ - $ 60 $ - $ 500 $ 180.00 0.03%

-

$ $ - $ 250 $ 300.00 $ - $ - $ 250 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 500 $ 300.00 0.04%

200

$ $ - $ - $ - $ 200 $ - $ - $ - $ 200 $ - $ - $ - $ 1,000 $ - 0.00%

154,101

$ $ 81,511.08 $ 114,085 $ 71,378.18 $ 161,773 $ - $ 109,868 $ - $ 141,131 $ - $ 75,425 $ - $ 1,192,999 $ 649,218.02 93.50%

-

$ $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - 0.00%

5,000

$ $ - $ 5,000 $ - $ 5,000 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 5,000 $ - $ 20,000 $ - 0.00%

5,000

$ $ - $ 5,000 $ - $ 5,000 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 5,000 $ - $ 20,000 $ - 0.00%

159,101

$ $ 81,511.08 $ 119,085 $ 71,378.18 $ 166,773 $ - $ 109,868 $ - $ 141,131 $ - $ 80,425 $ - $ 1,212,999 $ 649,218.02 93.50%

136,576

$ $ 98,732.55 $ 102,303 $ 94,010.49 $ 155,064 $ - $ 108,884 $ - $ 143,172 $ - $ 65,027 $ - $ 1,212,999 $ 694,385.18 (22,526)

$ $ 17,221.47 $ (16,782) $ 22,632.31 $ (11,709) $ - $ (984) $ - $ 2,041 $ - $ (15,397) $ - $ (0) $ 45,167.16 6.50%

38,388

$ $ 17,221

55,609

$ $ 39,854 $ - $ - $ - $ -

17,221.47

$ $ 39,853.78 $ 39,853.78 $ 39,853.78 $ 39,853.78 $ 39,853.78

May-11 June-11 Fy2011 Totals

January-11 February-11 March-11 April-11

THE GLOUCESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Our mission is for all students to be successful, engaged, lifelong learners

File: CFB (Administration)

& GBEBC (Personnel)

COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL

It is the policy of the District to maintain a learning environment that is free of behavior and incidents that involve criminal activity or serious misconduct. The School District has a policy prohibiting harassment, violence, and bullying. Both policies set out the manner in which the incidents shall be investigated and resolved. This policy is intended to supplement any existing policy. Its purpose is to establish the protocol for communication between school employees, the Superintendent of Schools, and the School Committee regarding incidents which occur within the district environment that involve criminal activity or serious misconduct.

Criminal activity and serious misconduct shall mean any behavior which a person would know may be in violation of any criminal law or behavior which a reasonable person would know may create a risk of grievous bodily or emotional harm to another person.

This policy is intended to supplement the reporting procedure set out in all other district policies which prohibit harassment, violence, bullying, unlawful discrimination, inappropriate behavior, and/or hate crimes.

School employees aware of behavior or activities which involve serious misconduct or criminal activity shall notify the Superintendent of Schools within the same business day or as soon thereafter as possible. The Superintendent shall take immediate steps to safeguard the school community including contacting legal counsel to ensure the proper procedure and course of action is followed.

The Superintendent may notify the School Committee members, individually or through the chairperson, if the Superintendent concludes that the School Committee will be contacted by residents about the matter.

If the incident involves a confidential matter, the Superintendent shall only disclose the general nature of the incident and the steps taken under the guidance of legal counsel to address the issue.

First Reading Approval: School Committee Meeting – March 16, 2011

2011-12 School Calendar

August September

Open Houses

September 14^th - GHS

*September 15^th - P. Cove September 21^st - O’Maley

*September 22^nd - P. Cove September 22^nd - Beeman East Glou. - Veterans &

West Parish

*(grade levels TBA)

Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Aug. 29^th Staff Starts Sept. 2^tnd No School Aug. 30^st Students Start Sept. 5^th Labor Day

October November December

Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Oct. 10^th Columbus Day Nov. 8^th Prof Dev Day – No School Dec 6^th Prof Dev Early Release Oct. 18^th Prof Dev Early Release Nov. 3^rd Parent Conference K-8 & Evenings Dec. 22^nd School Break Starts

Oct. 27^th Parent Conference K-8 Nov. 11^th Veterans Day Nov. 23^rd ½ Day

January February March

Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Jan 2^nd School Re-opens Feb. 7^th Prof Dev Early Release March 8^th Parent Conference K-8 Jan. 16^th Martin Luther King Day Feb. 20-24^th School Vacation March 27^0th Prof Dev Early Release

April May June

Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31 Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

April 6^th Good Friday ½ Day April 16-20^th School Vacation

May 28^th Memorial Day June 12^th Last Day for Students ½ Day

June 19^th Last Day –Snow Days

K-8 Conference Days are Early Release Days Sawyer Medal Night 11-16-11

GHS Graduation 6-10-12

Gloucester Public Schools

Calendar 2011-12

Days Days

Month Day Date Students Teachers

August Monday

29 Staff Back 1

August Tuesday 30 Students Start September Friday 2 No School

September Tuesday 6

Staff & Students Return

Monday 10 Columbus Day - No School

Tuesday 18 Early Release – Prof. Dev

Thursday 27 Parent Conference K-8 ½ day

November Tuesday 8 Prof Dev Day – No School

1

Thursday 3 Parent Conference K-8 & Evening ½ day Friday 11 Veteran’s Day - No School

Wednesday 23 ½ Day –Early Out Thursday 24 Thanksgiving Friday 26 Vacation

December Tuesday 6 Early Release – Prof. Dev

Thursday 22 Winter Break Starts – No School

Monday 16 Martin Luther King – No School

Monday 20 Winter Recess To 24 Winter Recess

March

Thursday 8 Parent Conference K-8 ½ day

April

Friday 6 Good Friday - ½ day Monday 16 Patriot’s Day – No School

To 20 Spring Break

May

Monday 28 Memorial Day – No School

June Tuesday 12 Last Day of School – ½ day

180

June

Tuesday 19 Snow Days 5

Sawyer Medal Night 11-16-11

GHS Graduation 6-10-12

Building a Breakthrough Framework

for Educator Evaluation in the Commonwealth

Submitted by the Massachusetts Task Force on the Evaluation of Teachers and Administrators

March, 2011

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 75 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148-4906

Phone 781-338-3000 TTY: N.E.T. Relay 800-439-2370

www.doe.mass.edu

MA Task Force on the Evaluation of Teachers and Administrators 

Members

Patty Barrett, Principal, Andover Public Schools Anna Bradfield, Dean, Bridgewater State University

Henry Braun, Professor, Boston College

MaryAnn Byrnes, President, MA Council for Exceptional Children Mary Czajkowski, Superintendent, Agawam Public Schools John D’Auria, President, Working Group for Educator Excellence Christine Evans, Past President, MA School Counselor Association

Lisa Famularo, Research Director, Rennie Center for Education Research and Policy Michael Flynn, Teacher, Southampton Public Schools, former MA Teacher of the Year

Tom Fortmann, Retired Engineer/Executive, former ESE Board Member Robert Fraser, MA Association of School Personnel Administrators Jon Fullerton, Center for Teacher Effectiveness, Harvard University

Tom Gosnell, President, American Federation of Teachers MA

Amanda Green, MA Association of Special Education Parent Advisory Councils at the Federation for Children with Special Needs

Orin Gutlerner, Founding Director, MATCH Charter Public High School Linda Hayes, Assistant Director, MA Secondary School Administrators’ Association

Nadya Higgins, Executive Director, MA Elementary School Principals Assoc.

Caitlin Hollister, Teacher, Boston Public Schools Elsie Huang, Principal, Boston Preparatory Charter School Pamela Hunter, Principal, Southwick-Tolland Regional High School Neelia Jackson, Teacher, MA Mathematics Association of Teacher Educators

Carla Jentz, Executive Director, MA Administrators for Special Education Glenn Koocher, Executive Director, MA Association of School Committees

Jim Lynch, MA Association of Vocational Administrators Joam Marmolejos, Student, Chelsea High School Seth Moeller, Director, Talent Management, Fidelity Investments Constance Moore, Vice President, MA Art Education Association Linda Noonan, Executive Director, MA Business Alliance for Education

Floris Wilma Ortiz-Marrero, Teacher, Amherst Public Schools, MA Teacher of the Year, 2011 Elizabeth Pauley, Senior Program Officer, The Boston Foundation

Steve Rivkin, Professor, Amherst College, School Committee Member, Amherst Public Schools Beth Schiavino-Narvaez, Chief Academic Officer, Springfield Public Schools

Tom Scott, Executive Director, MA Association of School Superintendents Norm Shacochis, Vice-President, MA Council for the Social Studies Jesse Solomon, Director, Boston Teacher Residency (Resigned February 13, 2011)

Paula Squires, VP for Human Resources, Baystate Health Mary Ann Stewart, President, Massachusetts State PTA

Paul Toner, President, MA Teachers Association Shakera Walker, Teacher, Boston Public Schools

Martin West, Professor, Harvard University

Joseph Casey, Superintendent, Melrose Public Schools, MA Association of School Superintendents Phil Flaherty, Assistant Director, MA Secondary School Administrators Association

Dan Murphy, Director of Education Policy and Programs, American Federation of Teachers MA Kathleen Robey, Board Member, MA Association of School Committees

Kathie Skinner, Director, Center for Policy and Practice, MA Teachers Association

Table of Contents 

MA Task Force on the Evaluation of Teachers and Administrators...2 Table of Contents ...3 Executive Summary ...5 Introduction...8 Educator Evaluation: The National Perspective ... 9 Educator Evaluation in Massachusetts ... 9 Task Force Perspective ... 10 Evaluation Framework Recommendations ...13 Values that Inform Effective Evaluation ... 13 Evaluation Framework: Key Design Features ... 15 Statewide Standards and Core Indicators for Effective Administrative Leadership and

Teaching... 15 Three Categories of Evidence... 17 Statewide Performance Rating Scale ... 19 5-Step Evaluation Cycle ... 19 The Implementation Challenge ...24 Conclusion ...27 References...28 Appendices...29 Appendix A – Board Motion Creating the Task Force... 30 Appendix C – ESE Staff to the Task Force and Consultants... 34 Appendix D – Annotated Bibliography of Studies Reviewed ... 35 Appendix E – Presenters to the Task Force ... 53 Appendix F – Educator Evaluation Policy in Massachusetts ... 54 Appendix G – The Essential Conditions for School Effectiveness ... 55 Appendix H – Glossary of Terms ... 57 Appendix I – Draft Standards and Indicators for Effective Leadership ... 59 Appendix J – Draft Standards and Indicators for Effective Teaching ... 63

Building a Breakthrough Framework for Educator Evaluation in the Commonwealth Page 3

We will know that our work is complete when every student can say with confidence:

“I am challenged and engaged in school, and I see how what I’m learning connects with the real world. I know what I’m good at, I know what I need to work on, and I know where to go for support. I am on track to go to college, get a job that I’m great at, and keep learning.”

And every teacher can say:

“I know how to reach, motivate, support, and engage every student in my classroom. I receive honest, useful feedback from my peers and principal, recognition when I succeed, and support when I do not. All of my students have the ability to go college, and I know that it’s my job to prepare them so they have that choice.”

Massachusetts Race to the Top application

“Effective administrators create a climate where every teacher is going to thrive. The main focus is on student learning: that is a given. But the learning of students occurs in direct proportion to the high expectations and supportiveness of the professional culture of the school.

Inquiry, intellectual risk taking, and mistakes are expected, valued, and recycled into learning.

The job of the administrator and leader is to create a climate that fosters serious, ongoing adult and student learning. This is the standard against which we should be evaluating all leaders.”

Task Force Member and former Administrator

“Current evaluation practices in the state are wobbly, at best. We are often stuck in place, unable to move beyond simple compliance with procedures. The Task Force and the Board of Education have a chance to break this logjam. We can create a more ambitious, focused and growth-oriented framework. I am hoping for a breakthrough.”

~ Task Force Member, former Teacher and Principal

Executive Summary  

The Massachusetts Task Force on the Evaluation of Teachers and Administrators is pleased to present its recommendations to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and Commissioner Mitchell Chester.

The Challenge

National and statewide evidence is clear – educator evaluation does not currently serve students, educators or society well. In its present state, educator evaluation in Massachusetts is not achieving its purposes of promoting student learning and growth, providing educators with adequate feedback for improvement, professional growth, and leadership, and ensuring educator effectiveness and overall system accountability.

The Task Force concludes that current educator evaluation practice in Massachusetts:

 Rarely includes student outcomes as a factor in evaluation

 Often fails to differentiate meaningfully between levels of educator effectiveness

 Fails to identify variation in effectiveness within schools and districts

 Rarely singles out excellence among educators

 Does not address issues of capacity, or “do-ability”

 Fails to calibrate ratings, allowing inconsistent practices across the state

 Fails to ensure educator input or continuous improvement

 Is often under-resourced or not taken seriously

Simply put, poor evaluation practices are a missed opportunity for promoting better leading, better teaching, better learning, and better schools.

The Opportunity

Despite these problems, the Commonwealth is poised for change, and it is the judgment of the Task Force that a breakthrough is both needed and achievable. By developing the

proposed Framework and applying Race to the Top resources to the challenge, Massachusetts can transform educator evaluation from an inconsistently applied compliance mechanism into a statewide catalyst for educator development and continuous professional growth. The framework that the Task Force proposes is intended to support, develop and retain the highly effective educators our children need to learn, grow and achieve.

Evaluation Framework: Key Design Features

The use of multiple measures of student learning, growth and achievement as a significant factor in all educator evaluations is a core feature of the framework. In addition to this core recommendation, the Task Force proposes that a new evaluation framework include the following key design features:

Building a Breakthrough Framework for Educator Evaluation in the Commonwealth Page 5

4 Standards with Indicators for all Educators

For Administrators For Teachers

Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Management and Operations Teaching All Students

Family and Community Partnerships Family and Community Engagement Professional Culture Professional Culture

3 Categories of Evidence

Three categories of evidence will be used in every district’s educator evaluation system:

 Multiple measures of student learning, growth and achievement, including o Progress toward learning targets

o MCAS growth measures in comparison to comparable schools, based on appropriate school-level demographics, where applicable, and

o Measures of learning comparable across grade or subject district-wide

 Judgments based on observation and artifacts of professional practice, using a DESE- approved observation system

 Collection of additional evidence relevant to one or more Standards, documenting fulfillment of other areas of professional responsibilities and growth as well as contributions to the school community and the professional culture.

4 Performance Ratings that apply to all educators, across the state

 Exemplary: Practice is consistently, significantly above proficiency on the Standard or overall

 Proficient: Practice demonstrates skilled performance on the Standard or overall

 Needs Improvement: Practice demonstrates lack of proficiency on the Standard or overall

 Unsatisfactory: Practice demonstrates lack of competence on the Standard or overall 5-Step Evaluation Cycle

Self-Reflection and Self-Assessment. Two core principles emerged from the deliberations of the Task Force: that educators a) engage in on-going improvement of their own professional practice, and b) take responsibility for their students’ learning, growth and achievement. The evaluation process begins with educators reflecting on and assessing their professional practice, and analyzing the learning, growth, and achievement of their students.

Goal Setting and Development of a Plan. Each educator meets with his or her evaluator to: a) review self-reflections and self-assessments, b) jointly analyze students’ learning, growth and achievement, and c) develop the educator’s goals and Plan. Goals encompass both practice and student learning, growth and achievement.

Implementation of the Plan. Educator and evaluator collect evidence using the three

categories of evidence. Educators receive professional development and support needed to

1 Though they are referred to as Draft Standards and Indicators in this document, the Task Force recognizes that these elements of the Framework may eventually be characterized by ESE as the Revised Principles of Effective Teaching and Administrative Leadership. To see the draft Standards, go to Appendices I and J.

be successful with their plans, such as additional observation with feedback, release time to observe another educator’s practice, or peer review and/or assistance.

Formative Assessment/Evaluation. Formative Assessments allow the evaluator and educator to check in on the educator’s progress toward goals, and performance on the Standards. They can include feedback based on observations and walkthroughs (announced and

unannounced), educator/evaluator review of student learning, growth and achievement data, instructional rounds, and other sources.

Summative Evaluation. The evaluator assesses the educator’s a) performance against the Standards, b) progress made on student learning, growth and achievement goals, and c) progress made on the professional practice goals, and determines overall ratings using the 4- point rating scale and evidence collected from three designated categories of evidence.

Summative Evaluations lead to personnel decisions consistent with the provisions of current statute.

4 Paths and 4 Plans differentiated by career stage and performance:

 For teachers without Professional Teaching Status and Administrators in their first three years: Developing Teacher Plans and Developing Administrator Plans

 For experienced Teachers and Administrators rated Proficient or Exemplary: Self- Directed Growth Plans

 For experienced Educators rated Needs Improvement: Directed Growth Plans

 For experienced Educators rated Unsatisfactory: Improvement Plans Implementation

Every member of the Task Force agrees: effective implementation of the framework is essential. Without it, very little will change. ESE must be willing and able to guide, support and monitor effective implementation at the district and school level. ESE has to put an unprecedented amount of time, thought and resources into this effort. Recommended ESE roles include:

 Fostering local stakeholder engagement in the new framework

 Developing rubrics that clearly illustrate what Standards and Indicators look like

 Developing a model system for districts to adopt or adapt

 Establishing statewide expectations for evaluator knowledge and skill

 Helping districts to develop valid assessments of student learning and growth

 Provide high quality training for all educators involved in evaluation

 Periodically review and revise the Framework based on lessons from the field Conclusion

The members of the Task Force are clear: educator evaluation in Massachusetts is poised for large-scale transformation, and the work ahead, while sweeping in scope, is both necessary and within the grasp of public educators. The Task Force membership believes that it has made headway on this work, and looks now to both ESE and local districts to pick up the challenge.

Working together, the educators and stakeholders of the Commonwealth have the opportunity to make Massachusetts a national leader in the re-invention of educator evaluation.

Building a Breakthrough Framework for Educator Evaluation in the Commonwealth Page 7