Professional Growth
and Evaluation Newsletter
This is the first Professional Growth and Evaluation Newsletter for the 2020-2021 school year
As we find ourselves a little over a month into the new school year, so much is different from how we envisioned ourselves teaching. Teaching from your living room, getting students and families access to technology, helping students navigate the many learning platforms...it's safe to say this is all a lot. A. LOT.

The work everyone is doing on behalf of the children and families in SPS is nothing short of amazing. It's unprecedented. What has been asked of you is huge. The unrelenting work you are engaging in is helping students and families in a time when we are all impacted by the multiple crises we find ourselves experiencing.

Please know that we see you. We see all your hard work. We see you feeling like you aren't doing enough, even though you are working harder than ever to get it all done. We see you checking in on every student, while carrying the full weight of this moment on your shoulders. Please make sure you find time to take care of yourself. Allow yourself grace. Your mental and physical health are most important in this time.
Distance
Computer Menu
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Updates
There is a new evaluation cycle, modified comprehensive, for this school year (2020-2021). Refer to the charts below to see the differences across the 3 evaluation cycles for both classroom teachers and non-classroom employees.
Certificated Classroom Teachers:
Certificated Non-Classroom Employees
Upcoming Evaluation Timelines:
Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)
IMPORTANT DATE: October 15, 2020
Assignment of Evaluator and Evaluation Cycle
  • Oct.15 is a date by which you should have received notification of your evaluator and your evaluation cycle.
  • Your evaluator must have communicated with you all relevant documents and resources to understand your evaluation cycle.
IMPORTANT DATE: November 15, 2020

Have a Goal Setting Conference with your Evaluator
  • Nov.15 is the date when all certificated employees must have had a goal setting conference with their evaluator.
IMPORTANT DATE: November 24, 2020
First formal Observation for new-to-district employees
  • Nov. 24 is the date by which the first formal observations must be completed for all certificated employees who are new to the district.
IMPORTANT DATE: December 15, 2020
Move a Certificated employee from a Focused or Modified cycle to a Full Comprehensive evaluation
  • Dec.15 is the last date an evaluator may move certificated staff from a focused or modified evaluation to a full comprehensive evaluation.

  • A certificated employee may be transferred from a focused or modified evaluation to a full comprehensive cycle:
  • if the evaluator identifies areas of concern beyond the focused criterion/domain
  • if the certificated employee's performance is consistently below proficiency in that criterion/domain

  • If the reason is due to performance concerns, the evaluator must cite the components of the criterion/domain of concern, along with evidence that supports cited concerns.

  • The decision to move an employee to a full comprehensive evaluation is not grievable.

IMPORTANT DATE: Dec 18, 2020

First Formal Observation for Certificated staff (Continuing Contract) on the Full Comprehensive cycle
  • The CBA requires the first formal observation of certificated staff on a continuing contract will occur before winter break.
  • The first observations for other evaluation cycles (modified comprehensive or focused) can happen before Dec. 18 but aren't required to happen by a certain date.
Remote Learning Look-Fors


The Professional Growth and Educator Support (PGES) Committee has finalized version 1.0 of the remote learning look-fors document. To access the document, click on the picture to the left to visit the new look-fors page of the PGES website.



What the Remote Learning Look-fors are:
  • The PGES committee drafted the below language to define the look-fors: 
  • Look-fors will be aligned with our Foundational Beliefs and be focused on educator actions that will facilitate meaningful student learning, 
  • Be written to focus on the naming of practice (broad ideas with examples) and not levels of performance (proficient level language), 
  • Be focused on what we want to see, not what is missing,
  • Use language that is inclusive of all educators and be focused on trust-building relationships with students and families.
  • They provide guidance around what remote learning might look like in each component of the Danielson Framework. 
  • They will ensure we have common expectations and consistent language to support school leaders and teachers in the work this year. 
 
What the Remote Learning Look-fors are not:
  • The look-fors support but do not replace the Danielson rubrics and are not written at a particular performance level. 
  • The look-for language will not be added to eVAL; since the look-fors will not be written at the performance level, they will not be used to create evidence packages
Student Growth Rubric Changes
The Student Growth rubrics for 3.1, 6.1 and 8.1 for teachers are unchanged. The rubrics for 3.2 and 6.2 have been modified to meet the goal of supporting reflection and growth in instruction and assessment practices.

Click on the picture to the right to see the language in the new rubrics.
Questions regarding information found in this newsletter?

Try asking someone in your building first. Who can you ask?
  • Your principal/evaluator
  • Your STAR Consulting Teacher
  • Colleagues
  • Your SEA building rep

Still stuck?
  • For assistance with eVAL, send your question(s) to eValHelp@seattleschools.org
  • For assistance with TPEP or the Danielson Framework, send an email to Lindsay Berger, PGES Program Manager or Alison Bishop, TPEP PD Specialist
  • For assistance beyond your SEA building rep, contact your SEA Uniserv Rep
Virtual Training Opportunities: Certificated Classroom Teachers
There are several virtual training options available to certificated classroom teachers. The PGES department has added new courses to Schoology.
  • TPEP Online Training Course
  • Danielson Framework Overview
  • Goal Setting
  • eVAL Course
  • eVAL Overview
  • eVAL Deeper Dive

Courses can be accessed by clicking on the buttons below and inputting the course codes. Additional courses are being added, so check the Schoology site often.
TPEP Online Training Course Access Code:
NSG7B-3KCJ2
eVAL Course Access Code:
TDT3N-BWZ5D
Upcoming eVAL Webinars

WHO: Teachers who are new to using eVAL or those who want a refresher.
WHAT: Webinars that cover basic eVAL information, including logging in, navigation of the eVAL tool, inputting student growth goals.
WHEN:
  • Oct. 20 4:30-5:30pm
  • Oct. 22 4:30-5:30pm
  • Oct. 29 4:30-5:30pm
WHERE: Teams. Limited spots available in each webinar in order to make for an interactive training.
HOW: Sign up for the training they want to attend here. Teachers will then be sent a link to the webinar. Extra time pay will be provided for all attendees.



This section is for certificated classroom teachers. You will find information to support and help you manage the evaluation process in eVAL. 
Setting Student Growth Goals
This video will walk you through the process of setting student growth goals in eVAL. If you are on a full comprehensive cycle, you will set student growth goals 3.1, 6.1, and 8.1. If you are on a modified comprehensive cycle or a focused cycle, you will set one student growth goal in either 3.1 OR 6.1 OR 8.1.
Find More Information At:
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Seattle Public Schools
Professional Growth & Educator Support/TPEP
Phone: 206-252-0011

These newsletters are archived on the HR website