March 2017

Professional Learning Focus Ready to Rollout

Recent legislative changes to the TLE process has placed a smaller emphasis on the quantitative measures in our system and a greater focus on professional growth for educators.  

As stated in House Bill 2957, "Every policy of professional development adopted by a school district board of education shall provide for the development of a focused and individualized program of professional development for the teacher or administrator that is consistent with the qualitative component of the TLE."

Over the past six months, educational stakeholders from across Oklahoma have been working on developing a framework for districts to pilot during the 2017-18 school year.  This new component of TLE is known as the Professional Learning Focus (PL Focus).  

Through the PL Focus, teachers and administrators will have the ability to collaborate with their evaluators to engage in personalized learning that they determine will help them grow as professionals.  The purpose is not to attach a rating or grade to an individual's PL Focus, nor is it to increase professional development point requirements for educators.  Rather, the goal is to provide a vehicle for learning based on an individual's expertise area.

More detailed presentations on the Professional Learning Focus will be made through regional sessions as well as webinars from the State Department of Education.  Recorded webinar sessions will be made available on the TLE website.  

Dates, times, and registration information for regional sessions and webinars are listed below.

PL Focus Presentations

Regional presentations of the Professional Learning Focus are open for all participants.  Districts are encouraged to send representatives to the session in their region.

3/20/17 from 10:00-12:00 @ McAlester Public Schools    Click here to register

3/20/17 from 2:00-4:00    @ Hugo Public Schools            Click here to register

3/24/17 from 2:00-4:00    @ Duncan Public Schools        Click here to register

3/27/17 from 9:00-11:00  @ Mid-Del Public Schools         Click here to register

3/27/17 from 2:00-4:00   @ Enid Public Schools              Click here to register

3/28/17 from 9:30-11:30  @ Guymon Public Schools        Click here to register

3/30/17 from 1:00-3:00   @ Broken Arrow Public Schools  Click here to register

3/31/17 from 2:00-4:00   @ Clinton Public Schools           Click here to register

Webinar presentations of the Professional Learning Focus are open for all participants, but will be focused on specific audiences.  TLE staff will be on hand to answer live questions.  Webinars will also be recorded and posted on the TLE website for those unable to attend and for future reference.

3/8/17  @ 3:00   "PL Focus for District Leaders"  Click here to register

3/9/17  @ 10:30  "PL Focus for District Leaders"  Click here to register

4/6/17  @ 3:00    "PL Focus for Evaluators"         Click here to register

4/7/17  @ 3:00    "PL Focus for Teachers"            Click here to register

4/11/17 @ 10:30  "PL Focus for Evaluators"         Click here to register

4/13/17  @ 10:30  "PL Focus for Teachers"          Click here to register

PL Focus Working Group

We would like to recognized the individuals who participated in our Professional Learning Focus Working Group.  Countless hours were spent developing the PL Focus framework while maintaining the purpose of providing a structure that offers educators autonomy to develop professional growth focused on the key strategies/behaviors that impact student learning and teacher mastery.

Brandie Berry--Tulsa Public Schools

Sayra Bryant--Barnsdall Public Schools

Dr. Ann Caine--OSSBA

Kathy Dunn--Mid-Del Public Schools

Melonie Hau--Duncan Public Schools

Carole Kelley--OPSRC

Lee Manly--Learning Sciences International

Chris McBeath--Quinton Public Schools

Marla Pankratz--Weatherford Public Schools

David Peak--Moore Public Schools

Alicia Priest--OEA

Dr. Michael Shanahan--Stillwater Public Schools

Merry Stone--Duncan Public Schools

Claudia Swisher--Educational Advocate

LaTasha Timberlake--Oklahoma City Public Schools

Ginger Tinney--POE

Dr. Vickie Williams--CCOSA

We are very excited to announce the latest EdCamp experience to come to Oklahoma.  EdCamp Administrators is a traditional EdCamp experience with a specific focus on topics related to school administration.  Whether you are a teacher, principal or superintendent, everyone is welcome to join in the experience.

EdCamp Administrators will take place on Saturday, March 25th from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Cimarron Middle School, 3701 S Bryant Ave, Edmond, OK 73013.  There will be a CoffeeEDU experience for early birds from 7:00-8:00 at Panera Bread, 1472 S Bryant Ave, Edmond.  There will also be a post EdCamp meet-up at The Patriarch, 9 E Edwards St, Edmond.   

You can register for this event here

Come join us for a great FREE professional learning experience!

We Want to Hear from You

The Office of Educator Effectiveness is actively soliciting feedback to improve the evaluation system.  The State Department of Education serves all educators and values ideas and suggestions geared toward improving learning and strengthening teachers. For questions/suggestions regarding teacher evaluation or training, pleae contact the TLE office.