Educator Licensure/PLSB/OEE Update presented by ADE Ivy Pfeffer, Assistant Commissioner Sandra Hurst, Director of Educator Effectiveness Karli Saracini, Director of Educator Licensure Cheryl Reinhart, Director of PLSB June 5, 2015 Develop, Support, Retain Ivy Pfeffer Assistant Commissioner The Attorney General’s Office o Acts with Emergency clauses take effect when the Governor signs. o Effectual date for all acts without emergency clauses is July 22, 2015 o Acts with specified effect date take effect on the date specified in the legislation. The Educator Workforce Attract, Support, Retain Sandra Hurst Director of Educator Effectiveness Act 1091 of 2015 Professional Learning Plan The overall school district plan And Professional Growth Plan An individual educator’s plan under TESS or LEADS ADE Commissioner’s Memo: LIC-15-029 5/22/2015 Act 1091 of 2015 Required Professional Development Hours ½ based on the Educator’s PGP New Educators: Teachers and Administrators Develop PGP 1st Semester – Act on goals 2nd semester, aligned with Mentoring Modules ADE Commissioner’s Memo: LIC-15-026 4/27/2015 Act 1091 of 2015 (cont’d) Virtual Environment Teacher May be observed by appropriate technology ADE Commissioner’s Memo: LIC-15-029 5/22/2015 Act 1091 of 2015 (cont’d) School District and Public Charter Statement of Assurance TESS Evaluators are trained TESS Evaluators are credentialed ADE Commissioner’s Memo: LIC-15-029 5/22/2015 Act 1091 of 2015 (cont’d) Summative Evaluations Now required every 4 years Informal Observations Now permissive in Summative Year ADE Commissioner’s Memo: LIC-15-029 5/22/2015 Track 1 Probationary/ Novice* Year 3: SUMMATIVE EVALUATION FORMAL OBSERVATION –Pre and Post Conference INFORMAL OBSERVATIONS - may be conducted COLLABORATIVE PGP – review and/or revise SUMMATIVE EVALUATION MEETING - summative rating results over all components AR-TESS Teacher Tracks Track 2 Interim Teacher Appraisal Process Track 3 Intensive Support Status FORMAL OBSERVATION –Pre and Post Conference INFORMAL OBSERVATIONS - focusing on PGP growth components COLLABORATIVE PGP – review and/or revise SUMMATIVE EVALUATION MEETING - summative rating results over all components 2A: SUMMATIVE EVALUATION SUMMATIVE EVALUATION Year 2: SUMMATIVE EVALUATION FORMAL OBSERVATION –Pre and Post Conference INFORMAL OBSERVATIONS - may be conducted COLLABORATIVE PGP – review and/or revise SUMMATIVE EVALUATION MEETING summative rating results over all components Year 1: SUMMATIVE EVALUATION FORMAL OBSERVATION –Pre and Post Conference INFORMAL OBSERVATIONS - may be conducted COLLABORATIVE PGP – Develop PGP SUMMATIVE EVALUATION MEETING summative rating results over all components COLLABORATIVE INTENSIVE PGP – review and/or revise often MAY INCLUDE INFORMAL AND FORMAL OBSERVATIONS FREQUENT TEACHER & EVALUATOR CONFERENCES Note: Teacher may remain in this track for two semesters; and two additional semesters may be added if improvement is observed. Student growth will be a component of the educator’s overall rating. Student growth data will be available after the performance rating is established each year, in both summative and interim appraisal tracks. *1) A first year teacher is both a novice and probationary teacher. 2)"Probationary teacher" means a teacher who has not completed three (3) successive years of employment in the school district in which the teacher is currently employed. A teacher employed in a school district in this state for three (3) years or a teacher who has been given credit for a prior service in another school district shall be deemed to have completed the probationary period; however, an employing school district may, by a majority vote of the directors, provide for one (1) additional year of probationary status. Arkansas Code: § 6-17-1502 2B3: INTERIM APPRAISAL INFORMAL OBSERVATIONS - focusing on PGP growth components COLLABORATIVE PGP – review and/or revise END OF YEAR REVIEW - professional practice rating 2B2: INTERIM APPRAISAL INFORMAL OBSERVATIONS - focusing on PGP growth components COLLABORATIVE PGP – review and/or revise END OF YEAR REVIEW - professional practice rating 2B1: INTERIM APPRAISAL INFORMAL OBSERVATIONS - focusing on PGP growth components COLLABORATIVE PGP – review and/or revise END OF YEAR REVIEW - professional practice rating TESS does not conflict with, nor replace the Arkansas Teacher Fair Dismissal Act (ATFDA). Revised 4/3/15 Probationary/ Novice Category Year 3 •Professional Growth Plan Monitored and Revised •Formative Assessment Conferences •Summative Evaluation Conference Over all required functions; PGP is revised based on feedback from evaluations; Student growth Data included with professional practice rating Year 2 •Professional Growth Plan Monitored and Revised •Formative Assessment Conferences •Summative Evaluation Conference Over all required functions; PGP is revised based on feedback from evaluations; Student growth Data included with professional practice rating AR-LEADS Evaluation Categories •Professional Growth Plan Monitored and Revised •Formative Assessment Conferences •Summative Evaluation Conference Over all required functions; PGP is revised based on feedback from evaluations; Student growth Data included with professional practice rating Summative Evaluation Year •Professional Growth Plan Monitored and Revised •Formative Assessment Conferences •Summative Evaluation Conference Over all required functions; PGP is revised based on feedback from evaluations Intensive Category • Intensive Growth Plan (IGP) Interim Appraisal Develop based on identified areas of need • Multiple Formative Assessment Conferences and Observation of PGP Progress (Non-Summative Years) • Conference to discuss final ratings (formative work of IGP considered) Note: An administrator may remain in the Intensive Category for up to 2 consecutive semesters. Two additional semesters may be added if progress is observed. PGP Focus on and review throughout the year Collect evidence and artifacts Multiple conferences between principal/supervisor to monitor progress • Summative Evaluation Year 1 Inquiry Category Reflect on Progress Revise as needed • Conversations Focus on PGP and evidence • End of Year Conference Professional Growth Plan and performance rating results based on functions outlined in PGP -Interim Appraisal is 3 years of the 4 Year Inquiry Category cycle -Student Growth Data will be included in an Administrator’s Yearly Rating Revised 4.8.15 Act 1091 of 2015 (cont’d) • Repeals the use of external assessments in teacher evaluations as originally set out in the law ; Replaces the old language with the method for assigning an annual overall rating that includes student growth as determined by the SBE (aligns with ESEA requirements but leaves flexibility for state to make changes within rules and regs) o Annual Overall Rating o During Summative Years, all components are rated o During Interim Appraisal o Student Growth ADE Commissioner’s Memo: LIC-15-029 5/22/2015 Training for Currently Employed Administrators & Teachers Administrators Teachers • Law and Process Update • Law and Process Update – ADE Website: Approximately one hour – Should be reviewed prior to the start of the 201516 SY – ADE Website: Approximately one hour – Should be reviewed prior to the start of the 201516 SY ADE Commissioner’s Memo: LIC-15-026 4/27/2015 Training for Currently Employed Administrators and Teachers Administrators TESS & LEADS Support Training: Calibration and Coaching- summer 2015 -Co-ops Teachers • Arkansas IDEAS new modules aligned to Framework for Teaching • BloomBoard for Teachers training - Co-ops ADE Commissioner’s Memo: LIC-15-026 4/27/2015 Training for Beginning Administrators and Novice Teachers Administrators – 3 hour law and process (will include TESS and LEADS) • Offered at AAEA summer and fall conferences as part of BA induction – Teachscape Credentialing for proficiency • Accounts can be secured as soon as administrator is hired (see ADE Commissioner memo) ADE Commissioner’s Memo: LIC-15-026 4/27/2015 Teachers – 3 hour law and process • Teachers from Out of state or those who have not been in an educator preparation program in the past 2 years • Recommended for all new teachers • Training at co-op or at district using ADE provided materials – Framework for Teaching• Out of state or those who have not been in an educator preparation program in the past 2 years• Recommended for all new teachers • Online training accounts will be provided to schools; completion of all modules takes approximately 24 hours; total required hours at discretion of district Arkansas BloomBoard Training Administrators Teachers • A BloomBoard training session will be held at the AAEA Summer conference • A BloomBoard Teacher Training will be held at coops this summer • New teachers will need training on technical aspects of BloomBoard as well – Train administrator on how to use the tool to initiate observations, how to collect data, how to rate performance and prescribe resources – Co-ops may wish to provide updates for effective BloomBoard use ADE Commissioner’s Memo: LIC-15-026 4/27/2015 – District Provided • By SuperUsers • Peers • BloomBoard Webinars – At co-ops New TESS & LEADS Resource On ADE Teacher Evaluation System Home Page: Training Requirements & Documents TESS & LEADS Charts TESS & LEADS Forms BloomBoard Information ADE CM: LIC-15-029 5/22/2015 ADE CM: LIC-15-029 5/22/2015 ADE CM: LIC-15-029 5/22/2015 ADE CM: LIC-15-029 5/22/2015 Update Focus for 2015-16 TESS & LEADS Focus Groups (May , 2015) 1.Sharing Information 29 Groups 197 Educators 2.TESS & LEADS Update 91 Districts and Charters Responses ADE Commissioner’s Memo: LIC-15-021 3/30/2015 Commissioner’s Memos Number Content LIC – 15-029 TESS Statute Updates LIC-15-026 TESS & LEADS Training Update LIC-15-024 Beginning Administrator and Novice Teacher Mentoring Update LIC-15-023 Beginning Administrator TEACHSCAPE Accounts Prepare and Extend Karli Saracini Director of Educator Licensure New Educator Licensure Areas American Sign Language K-12 Computer Science 4-12 Dyslexia Therapist K-12 Early Childhood/Special Education Integrated B-K Ages 3-4 Special Education Endorsement 26 Dyslexia Therapist The Educator Preparation section is currently working with Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) on the creation and approval of programs of study for the Dyslexia Therapist Endorsement (Grades K-12). Approved Program: oHarding University Program Currently Under Review: oArkansas State University oHenderson State University oUA Fayetteville oUA Little Rock oUniversity of Central Arkansas Letter of Interest Submitted: oArkansas Tech University oSouthern Arkansas University oUA Pine Bluff All programs will be graduate level and will lead to an endorsement to a standard educator license. 27 Act 187 Computer Science Act 187 of 2015 mandates each public high school and public charter school to offer a course in computer science beginning in 2015-16 school year. LS-15-067 4 Courses Approved to fulfill Act 187: oEssentials of Computer Programming 460020 • • Computer Science License- (528) Business License- (250, 224, 225) oComputer Science and Mathematics 439100-Math License (200) 460050- CS or Business License (528 or 250, 225,225) oAP Computer Science 560050 oIB Computer Science 560060 • See secondary licensure codes at: http://www.arkansased.gov/public/userfiles/HR_and_Educator_Effectiveness/HR_Educator_Licensure/NEW_AREAS_AN D_LEVELS_BY_CODES_2-11-2013.pdf Computer Science At its May 2015 meeting, the State Board of Education adopted the Praxis™ Computer Science (5651) test with a cut score of 171 effective immediately. This test is required for Computer Science (4-12) licensure. Options: o Adding to an existing license through testing o Obtaining a first-time license through a nontraditional PPTL, MAT, APPEL o Utilizing Virtual Arkansas to teach a required course 29 Computer Science The Praxis™ Computer Science (5651) 2015-2016 Testing Windows: o June 15-26, 2015 o o o o o o August 10-22, 2015 Sept 8-19, 2015 Nov 2-14, 2015 Feb 1-13, 2016 April 4-16, 2016 July 4-16, 2016 Assessment fee reimbursement is available to eligible test takers (TBA). 30 Provisional Professional Teaching License Definition: A three-year provisional educator license issued to an experienced professional for the purpose of teaching middle or secondary in an Arkansas public or charter school. Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.7 overall grade point 3 years of verified employment experience in specific content area Justification Letter of experience in the content area by the applicant 2 professional recommendation letters Passing scores on PraxisTM Core or approved equivalent exam 31 Provisional Professional Teaching License Passing scores PraxisTM content exam Cleared background checks and Child Maltreatment Central registry check Teach part time or full time Letter of eligibility from the Office of Educator Licensure Provisional license issued upon offer of employment 3 years to complete the PPTL PraxisTM pedagogy 32 Provisional Professional Teaching License 24 hours of training in pedagogy (TESS) Mentored for 2 years Proficient or above on the summative evaluation at end of 3 years Recommendation from employing superintendent for the standard license Pay $75 license fee 33 Waiver Requests/ALP, ALCP An educator must: o Hold a standard Arkansas educator license in a licensure content area or a provisional license issued by reciprocity only lacking AR History (if applicable), or o Meet the teaching and administrative experience requirement for ALCP. Additional Licensure Plan (ALP) o Apply within 30 school days of hiring an educator: o Completed Waiver Request Form o Plan of Study For Adding a Licensure Area Form o Timeline o ALP Form Administrator Licensure Completion Plan (ALCP) o Completed Waiver Request Form o Plan of Study for Adding a Licensure Area Form o Timeline o Completed ALCP Form o Documentation of required experience 34 Act 1240 School District Waivers o Allows schools districts to be granted the same waivers that are granted to an open-enrollment public charter that draws students from the school district. o Must petition State Board of Education o Charter Waivers are posted on ADE website o If not a charter, schools must continue to employ licensed teachers in core content areas. – Licensure is a requirement for HQT in core areas Act 1090 (HB 1651) - Licensure Provisions Professional development: oClarifies the granting of professional development credit for college courses and allows school districts to make the decision about approving those hours (not the department) Employment / Ethics: oProhibits a person whose license is suspended or revoked to work as an employee in a public school oStudent teachers at a school district are held to the Code of Ethics and may have sanctions applied to their license when (or if) one is issued oAllows certain information concerning ethical violations resulting in suspension or revocation of a license to be publicly viewed on the department’s online licensure system Act 1090 (HB 1651) - Licensure Provisions Licensure by Reciprocity: o Technical correction to clarify that the waiver of assessment to a person applying for reciprocity for the first-time applies only to the first-time license. This prevents someone from not testing if they are adding an area to an existing license o Removes the requirement for a teacher licensing by reciprocity with 3 years of experience to pass a basic skills assessment Act 1090 (HB 1651) - Licensure Provisions Nontraditional Licensure: oAllows the department’s nontraditional program (APPEL) to refuse to admit someone who has been dismissed from a university teacher preparation program oClarifies that a provisional license issued to a teacher in Teach for America, Arkansas Teacher Corps, etc., will be issued under the rules for provisional licensure for a nontraditional applicant oAllows certain licensure applicants to meet the Arkansas history requirement through a 45-hour ArkansasIDEAS course instead of a college course. Applies to: – reciprocity – nontraditional program – adding an endorsement to an existing license Act 1090 (HB 1651) - Licensure Provisions Certain Expired Licenses: o Amends an outdated law for renewing a license obtained before 1988. This will require content area testing and professional development if a teacher – has a license issued before the state required content area testing – the license expired for more than one year – has taught less than 3 years Act 1121 (SB 744) - ABCTE American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) oGraduates may apply for provisional licensure as a candidate from an accelerated teaching program, similar to Teach for America (TFA) and the Arkansas Teacher Corps (UAF). oUnder agreement with the Department, ABCTE candidates will be granted a provisional license for up to three (3) years. oTo receive a standard license in specific licensure areas (identified in a Memorandum of Understanding with ADE), an ABCTE candidate will need to: – have participated in the state’s mentoring program for two (2) years, – have a proficient or distinguished evaluation by the end of the third year, and – be recommended for licensure by their superintendent. Professionalism and Ethics Cheryl Reinhart Director of Professional Licensure Standards Board Act 1089 (HB 1650) - Background Checks Background Check Process - Generally: oSchool districts, charter schools, and education service cooperatives must initiate the state and federal background checks through the Arkansas State Police online system – both state and federal run at the same time. oAfter July 1, 2016, educational entities are required to use electronic fingerprinting (“livescan”) as the primary fingerprinting method. Fingerprint cards will only be accepted after the livescan fingerprinting is attempted and fails to produce adequate fingerprints. Act 1089 (HB 1650) - Background Checks Background Checks for Licensure: o Requires preservice teachers to have the same background checks as licensed educators o Allows the FBI to maintain fingerprints o Expunged, sealed, and pardoned records that are over ten (10) years old, unless the offense involves violence or abuse, will no longer be disqualifying o Allows a school district to provisionally employ a teacher while the teacher is seeking a waiver from the State Board o Clarifies that an applicant for a lifetime teaching license will have criminal and child maltreatment background checks Act 1089 (HB 1650) - Background Checks Background Checks for Classified Employees: oAllows an educational entity to grant a waiver for employees in classified staff positions, such as substitute teachers, who are contracted through an outside vendor – this was previously not possible oAll classified staff positions at school districts, including those staffed by outside vendors, are required to clear the background checks for employment oExpunged, sealed, and pardoned records that are over ten (10) years old, unless the offense involves violence or abuse, will no longer be disqualifying Teaching as a Profession Professionalism: Begins with training Permeates the teacher’s professional experience Requires diligent selfmonitoring and learning Act 1090 (HB 1651) addresses professionalism by: oRequiring that student teachers in an internship at a school district are held to the Code of Ethics and may have sanctions applied to their license when (or if) one is issued oProhibiting a person whose license is suspended or revoked to work as an employee in a public school. oAllowing certain information concerning ethical violations resulting in suspension or revocation of a license to be publicly viewed on the department’s online licensure system.