TLE Implementation: Next Steps for 2014

The start of a new year is not only a great time to applaud annual achievements, but it is also the perfect opportunity for districts to set new goals and plan next steps. 

As districts continue to progress towards full implementation of TLE law, it is crucial that the OSDE communicates all the important milestones expected throughout 2014. 

Accordingly, districts should use the tentative schedule of events below to strategically plan for the final stages of full TLE implementation. 

The OSDE will send detailed correspondence to assist districts with monthly milestones.  

Be on the lookout for official emails coming soon regarding all data uploads, training, and events!  

January-March

• Working Group #2 finalizes recommendations for SAG/NTGS (Student Academic Growth/Non-Tested Grades and Subjects=35%) 
• Working Group #3 finalizes recommendations for VAM (Value-Added Model for tested grades and subjects=35%)
• TLE Dashboard Committee finalizes requirements for Ed-Fi Dashboards
• 2012-2013 Qualitative Pilot Data Upload  
• Roster Verification training webinars for administrators

April-June

• VAM training videoconferences for administrators
• 2013-2014 Roster Verification begins (RV is mandatory for every district; see definition for "random sampling" in the blue sidebar.)  
• 2013-2014 Qualitative Upload

July-September

• 2013-2014 VAM results available 
• 2013-2014 OAM worksheets finalized and uploaded (15%)
• 2014-2015 OAM Worksheets begin and will be used for 2015-2016 evaluations
• TLE Dashboard opens (Ed-Fi pilot districts)

October-December

• Qualitative observations/evaluations continue
• OAM process continues

TLE Question of the Month: What is the status for NTGS?

The TLE Office has received numerous questions regarding the status of the quantitative decisions for teachers of non-tested grades and subjects (NTGS).  As the school year advances into the second semester and administrators finish the qualitative portion of evaluations, it is certainly understandable for teachers and leaders to inquire about the quantitative portion of the TLE evaluation framework.   To recap, the quantitative portion is divided into two parts:  15%=OAM (Other Academic Measure) and 35%=VAM (Value-Added Model) or SAG/NTGS (Student Academic Growth/Non-Tested Grades and Subjects).   Since last January, a working group (Working Group #2) comprised of educators and leaders from across the state met on multiple occasions to discuss SAG/NTGS.  Their purpose:  to analyze the quantitative process of assessing teachers of non-tested grades/subjects and to recommend VAM alternatives.      Last spring, WG #2 divided into 18 content areas and produced a matrix of alternatives for each content area.   Over the summer, the TLE Office submitted the matrix of recommendations to UPD/Mathematica, a policy research organization. UPD/Mathematica vetted the recommendations in three areas: reliability, validity, and differentiation.  Last fall, UPD/Mathematica presented its findings of Working Group #2's initial recommendations to the TLE Commission.  The Commission then advised the TLE Office to share UPD/Mathematica's findings with WG #2 and reconvene for final recommendations. Working Group #2 is scheduled for a final meeting on February 5th, and formal recommendations from the Commission are expected to be submitted to the State Board for voting later that month.

TLE Spotlight School of the Month: Idabel Public Schools

Ms. Nancy Copeland, principal of Copeland Elementary, recently contacted the TLE Office before winter break to schedule an OAM presentation for her faculty.  She also invited educators from other sites within her district, as well.   Unfortunately, the presentation was scheduled for Friday, December 13th after school. Some may recall how icy and cold that day was; so much in fact, numerous schools had already closed.  The prospect of a full audience for an OAM presentation on a Friday evening during an ice storm was dismal at best.      Imagine how surprising it was to see Nancy Copeland's staff show up in full force!  Not only that, Superintendent Doug Brown and more than seventy-five faculty members from other Idabel school sites showed up, as well. Now, that is called dedication!    Doug Brown reports that his "...teachers were very intimidated by the OAMs" but are now "...at ease" after hearing the presentation.    One attendee, Ms. Betty Warren, discussed her creative idea for an Other Academic Measure (OAM). Ms. Warren is not only a second grade teacher at Primary South Elementary, but she is also the sponsor of the NAACP club. Her effectiveness as the educational leader for the club and Black History Month activities is her OAM focus.   Choosing the approved measure of project portfolio and using Democratic Heritage as the standard to anchor her OAM, Ms. Warren says, "My  plans are to examine the life of Harriet Tubman, and how it impacts the rights and freedom of all Americans. Her unfailing courage and self-sacrifice in times of extreme difficulties serve as an example to us all!" Ms. Warren's ability to blend her passion with a curriculum standard to engage her students represents that "unique facet" as defined by OAM language.  Bravo, Ms. Warren! Principal Nancy Copeland states, "I am very proud of our district and staff.  I have heard numerous positive comments about the meeting.  It was very beneficial to my staff and I so appreciate...the information." Congratulations to Superintendent Doug Brown, Ms. Nancy Copeland, Principal Terri Bastible of Primary South, Ms. Betty Warren and the other exceptional educators at Idabel Public Schools for being selected as Spotlight School of the Month!

Idabel Warriors: Champions for Life! #ipswarriors

2014 January Newsletter

Table of Contents:

• TLE Implementation: Next Steps for 2014
• TLE Question of the Month: What is the status for NTGS?
• TLE Spotlight School of the Month: Idabel Public Schools
• Upcoming Events:
• TLE Resources:
• TLE Definitions:
• Recommended Reading:
• Professional Development:

Upcoming Events:

• Jan 20 State Holiday; Offices Closed
• Jan 20 @ 8 am; Pryor REAC3H Regional Meeting
• Jan 21 @ 1 pm; TLE Commission Meeting
• Jan 23 @ 1 pm; State Board Meeting
• Feb 3 @ 8 am; Stillwater REAC3H Regional Meeting
• Feb 5 @ 8 am; Working Group #2 (SAG/NTGS)
• Feb 24, 25, 26, 27, 28; Roster Verification Webinars (for administrators only) Register here. Click tab for Upcoming.
• March 31, April 1, 2, 3: Value-Added Training Video-conferences (for administrators only) Register here.

TLE Resources:

• TLE OAM Example Worksheets 
• 9-6-13 Video conference:  Updated OAM & Roster Verification Video
• 9-6-13 Video conference Handout/Power Point
• TLE OAM e-Brochure
• TLE Theory of Action Brochure
• TLE Implementation Timeline for Districts
• Tulsa Model and McREL Training Schedules for 2014

TLE Definitions:

Random Sampling-SB 426 explains that every district must participate in OAM and Roster Verification pilots in a “representative sampling of school sites within the district.”  

For those districts with a significant number of school sites, a representative sampling should include at least enough elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools to be statistically representative of the entire district.  

For those districts with a small number of school sites, all sites will need to participate in order to be representative of the sites within the district.  

All educators within each school site identified for the pilot year should participate in the OAM and Roster Verification processes. 

Recommended Reading:

In the OSDE's Other Academic Measures brochure, the policy lists Teacher/Leader Portfolio as an approved measure, along with other types of portfolios.  By design, the language in the policy does not provide definitions of each portfolio type, nor does it set guidelines for content.  The intent is for individual districts to determine portfolio definitions and parameters that are most reflective of their school vision or mission.  

Teachers and leaders often have questions about the purpose of a portfolio. Should portfolios be summative or formative?  Should portfolios focus on assessments or learning?  Should the focus be on performance growth of the students or professional growth of the educator?  

According to an article in NASSP's Principal Leadership Journal, portfolios can be all of these things, depending upon the administrator and teacher's "...shared vision of what good teaching looks like..."("Evaluations That Ensure Growth", p. 58). 

In fact, the author recommends "merging" the different types of portfolios to create a product that is (1) reflective of school vision, (2) anchored to professional standards, and (3) focused on student and teacher growth.  

To read the article in its entirety, click here.  

Professional Development:

OSDE's Teacher and Leader Effectiveness Office would be honored to be part of your district's professional development resources!  

We are available for district, area, and regional meetings.  Our target audience would generally be defined as a group of 10 or more educational leaders.   

We are also available for private appointments with small groups (1-10) or individuals at our home office in Oklahoma City.  This opportunity affords a more personable, customized conversation to meet the specific needs of your individual district.  

Possible topics or areas of focus include TLE legislative updates, qual/quant components, OAM implementation, instructional strategies, and SMART goal development.

In an effort to build resource capacity, the TLE Office makes many presentations throughout the year with the hope that participants will share information with colleagues and neighboring districts.

Listed below are places that have recently hosted a TLE presentation.  We encourage educators to contact these organizations for information shared at the meetings.  Additionally, we have provided a list of upcoming presentations.  If you would like your team to attend one of these presentations, we encourage you to initiate contact with those listed and inquire about the possibility of co-scheduling with that organization. Registration information for the REAC3H meetings is available here.    

Recent presentations:

Fairview PS, Canadian Valley Technology Center, Tuttle PS, Coweta PS, Tahlequah PS, Claremore-Sequoyah PS, Mid-America Technology Center, Oologah-Talala PS, Lawton PS, Claremore PS, Skiatook PS, Bridge Creek PS, Idabel PS

Upcoming presentations:

Pryor REAC3H (1/20), Stillwater REAC3H (2/3), Ardmore REAC3H (2/7), Silo PS (2/7)