1. Creating Defensible Improvement Plans
Alan N. Johnson

2. Origins
School Code of 1949 first required annual evaluation for satisfactory or unsatisfactory performance.
The code did not however describe what constituted satisfactory performance.

3. The DEBE 5501 PDE for 5501 aka ‘DEBE 5501’ was eventually evolved
Described 4 areas of rating
Personality
Preparation
Technique
Pupil Reaction

4. The new forms
In 2002, PDE developed four new rating forms based on work of Charlotte Danielson and actually written by ETS
PDE-430, PDE-428, PDE-427 and PDE-426
The PDE 427 is the only mandatory form

5. Domains of the PDE-426 Planning and Preparation Instructional Delivery
Classroom Environment
Professionalism

6. Reasons for Dismissal Immorality Intemperance Incompetency
Physical or Mental Disability
Willful Neglect
Cruelty
Felony Conviction
Persistent Negligence
Failure to follow school law or Board policy
Unsatisfactory performance

7. Creating an Effective Plan of Assistance
Objective statement of the deficiency.
Must be concrete
Ex” Teacher fails to submit lesson plans aligned to standards.

8. Plan of Assistance A statement for the Plan of Assistance
Must contain positive description of what teacher will do to demonstrate satisfactory performance.
Bad example: “Teacher will stop yelling at students.”
Better example:” Teacher will demonstrate use of the principles of resiliency in dealing with student behaviours”

9. Plan of Assistance
Corrective steps to be taken by the teacher stated in very concrete terms.
Bad example: “teacher will submit weekly lesson plans”
Better example:”Teacher will submit lesson plans containing statement of objectives, start-up activity, small group and independent activities and a closing activity”

10. Plan of Assistance Statement of Assistance offered.
Must include supports that school will provide and how the teacher will use them.
Ex’s “teacher will meet with math coach weekly”
“teacher will read the book, ‘Discipline with Dignity’ and report on same”
“teacher will attend in-service on curriculum alignment at IU”

11. Plan of Assistance Statement of how the Plan will be monitored.
Be specific with timelines
Bad ex: “Teacher will be observed 3 times during the semester”
Better ex:” Teacher will be observed by March 1st, April 30th and May 25th”
Should also state who will conduct observations

12. Plan of Assistance
Statement of how and when the Plan will be evaluated.
Should state when the Plan will be assessed.
Who will do the assessing. (Include multiple administrators if possible.)
Do not include issues not originally stated in the plan.