Localized “Lowell-ized” Training Edith LaBran Assistant Director of Human Resources for Educator Evaluation (RTTT funded)

Decision to Localize Training No negotiated language for acceptance of model system process – No educator training allowed – Need for ‘just in time’ training once contract ratified Need to train evaluators in preparation for rating teachers in new system while not using new system

Localization (con’t) Module materials available at DESE website School principal assigned to new position/role – 8 years in district Leader of middle school in ‘restructuring’-PIM School improvement coordinator with Level 4 school Trusted by administrators and union – Collaboration with DESE in all prior roles – Strong belief in model system as vehicle to effectively improve teaching and learning

Approach Need for consistency across 24 schools with different leadership styles and varying levels of trust Provide training for evaluators while restricting use of new system and tools Opportunity to make ‘overwhelming’ work manageable – Focused elements (Handouts) – Throughline to guide self-assessment and goals – Adapted forms

Training evaluators revealed misconceptions, interpretations, and beliefs that demanded deeper examination of purposes of evaluation and more in-depth training of selected topics – Schedule of evaluator training topics (Handout)

Educator Training JCEE – 5 evaluators – 5 educators – Guidance and support for training educators April Early Release-Supt and UTL Pres; Level 4 teachers; Hopes and Fears (DVD) May Early Release-Level 4 teachers discuss 4 fears from April; Lowell-ized Overview Power point; survey (DVD) June half days-Unpacking rubrics; Self-Assessment; Goal setting (to be taped and archived on DVD) – Seven training sites with feeder/neighborhood school groups – Training team of 8 educators and evaluators at each site – Train the trainer model to ensure consistency at each site

District Commitment Training Library – In schools – On district website Webinars TIME - Release Days and Data Summits – September and October release days (2 hours release time plus 1 hour faculty meeting time) plus October data summit days (on-site with substitute coverage) committed to self-assessment, data analysis, and plan development JCEE and JCAE