1. TAA2 Assessor Workshop Learning and Innovation

2. PROGRAM OUTLINE Workshop Introduction Overview of the TAA Scheme Outline of the TAA2 Activity Break TAA 2 Action Plans Summation and Close

3. PURPOSE The purpose of this workshop is to provide ASSESSORS with the skills to effectively and efficiently organise and participate in the TAA 2 Activity.

4. The TAA scheme is based on: Consultation Advice Support Guidance Transparency

5. TARGET GROUP The teacher involved generally is: A high achiever in their VOCATIONAL area. New to FULL TIME teaching in a section. Either undertaking INITIAL TEACHER EDUCATION or is on a FULL TEACHING LOAD. Working around 50 to 60 hours per week in a new environment. Preparing for every lesson they teach (generally at least 1 to 2 hours for every teaching hour). Often nervous about being observed in an ASSESSMENT. Hesitant to seek help but definitely needs support and guidance.

6. The TAA Scheme Consists of 2 Components Component 1 Where the final part is the TAA1 Activity. Component 2 Where the final part is the TAA2 Activity

7. Outcomes of the TAA scheme. Improve the delivery quality of new teachers Enhance new teacher effectiveness Develop new teacher potential Provide career development advice.

8. The TAA 2 ACTIVITY

9. WHO IS INVOLVED Human Resources unit Responsible for management of TAA scheme. Teacher education coordinator Notifies that activity is to be conducted and supports Teachers, Advisors, Assessors and Managers. Organising manager Arranges Assessors, provides teachers with written notification that activity is to take place, organises all facets of activity and forwards documentation to reviewing manager and HR for records purposes. Teachers immediate supervisor Provides support for teacher preparing for the activity and comments on results of the activity.

10. WHO IS INVOLVED (CONT) Assessors 2 Assessors are involved (1 Discipline expert and 1 Institute representative); they provide the pre-activity discussion, conduct the assessment, liaise with the Head Teacher, negotiate and prepare the action plan and make the final recommendation for appointment, deferral or non recommendation. Reviewing manager In consultation with assessors and organising manager reviews documentation to ensure correct completion. Ensures that the ACTION PLAN is completed to the required standard and provides feedback to all parties involved and forwards completed documentation to HR.

11. SUGGESTIONS As soon as the notification is received. Ask the teacher for tentative dates Start to organise the assessors. Check with the Head Teacher to ensure that all is satisfactory Check that the TAA 1 ACTION PLAN is completed correctly.

12. TAA 2 PROCESS. Notification issued at start of second semester of appointment. Activity completed between the 8 th and 12th month of the teachers appointment. Assessment conducted at a mutually agreed time. Teachers immediate manager supports the teachers preparation for the activity and is consulted by all parties throughout the activity.

13. TAA 2 PROCESS (cont) At least 14 days prior to the observation the teacher is provided with WRITTEN NOTIFICATION that the activity is to take place. At least 5 working days before the observation one of the assessors provides the teacher with a pre-assessment discussion to advise re: the assessment criteria. Observation of the teaching session takes place and must be for a minimum of one hour. It MUST include an introduction, body and summation and the format for the session must be discussed before the observation.

14. TAA 2 PROCESS (cont) During the observation each assessor completes an independent ASSESSMENT REPORTS that include each individuals comments on the activity. Immediately after the observation the assessors prepare a COMBINED ASSESSMENT REPORT that will be used as the basis for the remainder of the activity. Individual reports are to be destroyed in front of the teacher concerned. The combined assessment report is discussed with the teachers immediate supervisor who adds his/her comments to the documentation. The decision to confirm, defer or not recommend appointment is made and details added to the documentation.

15. TAA 2 PROCESS (CONT) A post activity meeting is held with the teacher 1 to 5 days after the observation at which point the teachers performance is discussed and the ACTION PLAN prepared and signed off.

16. TAA 2 ACTION PLAN Must be completed within 21 days of the observation (see post activity meeting). Actions in the plan must be mutually agreed. The action plan must be able to be completed within 12 months of the activity taking place. It is preferred that action plans do NOT include attendance at Staff Development functions.

17. Preparing the action plan Remember that the ACTION PLAN is a mutually agreed document so BOTH the ASSESSOR and the TEACHER should have input to its completion.

18. Preparing the Action Plan cont’ The key parts of an action plan are: AREA TO BE DEVELOPED. Specifically identifies the part of the teachers performance that requires development e.g. questioning skills, session plans, timing etc. ACTION STRATEGIES. Clearly explains what is to be done, How it will be done and WHO will help.. PROGRESS REVIEW. Comments on the results of the teachers actions in completing each part of the action plan.

20. Qualities of a good action plan S Specific MMeasurable AAchievable RRelevant TTimely

21. TAA 2 EXERCISE Organise into small groups of 3 to 4 participants and using the assessment report and transparency provided prepare an ACTION PLAN that meets the required needs of the assessors and the teacher concerned. On completion of your action plan present your results to the remainder of the group.

23. TAA2 Assessor Summary TAA2 Purpose TAA2 Participants TAA2 Process TAA2 Documentation