Specialists and Licensed
Professionals
Spring Mini-Pilot
Angela Kirby-Wehr
Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network
PaTTAN’s Mission
The mission of the Pennsylvania Training
and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN)
is to support the efforts and initiatives of
the Bureau of Special Education, and to
build the capacity of local educational
agencies to serve students who receive
special education services.
PDE’s Commitment to Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
Our goal for each child is to ensure
Individualized Education Program (IEP)
teams begin with the general education
setting with the use of Supplementary Aids
and Services before considering a
more restrictive environment.
Objectives:
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Who Are Educational Specialists?
Update on mini-pilot
 Background
 Review expectations
Data Collection
 Modified Rubric (web-based systems)
 AIR Survey
Specialists
 Supervisory Area Certifications (CSPG 88-92)
Upcoming Event
Who are Educational Specialists?
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Educational Specialists are defined in Pennsylvania School Code with the
scope of their certificates and assignments described in Certification and
Staffing Polices and Guidelines (CSPGs).
Currently CSPG 75 through 81 list the following specialist certifications:

Dental Hygienist
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Elementary School Counselor
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Home and School Visitor
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Instructional Technology Specialist
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Secondary School Counselor
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School Nurse
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School Psychologist
PDE is in the process of working with stakeholder groups from across the
Commonwealth to revise the Danielson Framework for Teaching to reflect the
specific roles and functions of the identified specialist groups
5
What about other Licensed Staff hired
under Teacher Contracts?
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Given that many LEAs hire licensed professionals
under teacher contracts who are not certificated as
specialists under Pennsylvania School Code, PDE has
made a decision to develop revised Danielson
Framework for Teaching rubrics for the following roles:
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Occupational Therapist
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Physical Therapist
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Social Workers
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Behavior Specialists
PDE is in the process of working with stakeholder
groups from across the Commonwealth to6revise the
Non Teaching Professional Employee Effectiveness System in
Act 82 (HB 1901)
Observation/Evidence
Danielson Framework Domains
1. Planning and Preparation
2. Educational Environment
3. Delivery of Service
4. Professional Development
Student Performance of All Students in the
School Building in which the Nonteaching
Professional Employee is Employed
District Designed Measures and Examinations
Nationally Recognized Standardized Tests
Industry Certification Examinations
Student Projects Pursuant to Local Requirements
Student Portfolios Pursuant to Local Requirements
Student
Performance
20%
Observation/
Evidence 80%
Educator Effectiveness
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/
server.pt/community/educator_effec
tiveness_project/20903
3
Update on mini-pilot
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Background
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During the 2013 Spring Pilot, participating evaluators will be using the
modified rubrics to assign performance ratings. However, performance
ratings should not be used to make high stakes decisions (e.g., they
should not become a part of an employee’s personnel file, etc.).
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The content within the modified rubrics (including descriptions of
performance relative to professional standards and guidelines and
exemplars) will be reviewed and discussed by the evaluator and
employee who will then independently complete a survey that will be
used to inform ongoing validation efforts.
Update on mini-pilot
Expectations for participation in the pilot process include:
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If possible, it is strongly recommended that 2 different evaluators are
assigned to each employee.
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Each evaluator will have a pre-conference with the employee (2
separate pre-conferences).
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Each evaluator will conduct an observation utilizing the respective
employee’s modified DRAFT rubric (observation).
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Each evaluator and employee will review the evidence collected (postconference).
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All evaluators and employees will complete a survey that will ask
various questions about the instrument within the context of role and
function, services and the evaluation process in general.
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Evaluators will submit ratings for individual specialists and licensed
professionals via an online data collection form
Participation:
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Total of 47 LEAs participating
 Intermediate Units – 10
 School Districts – 35
 Technical HS/AVTS – 2
Data Collection
Modified Rubric
 AIR Survey
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Specialists- Supervisory Area
Certifications
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CSPG 88 - Supervisor of Curriculum and
Instruction
CSPG 89 - Supervisor of Pupil Services
CSPG 90 - Supervisor of Single Area
CSPG 91 - Supervisor of Special Education
CSPG 92 - Supervisor of Vocational Education
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/certification_staffing_policies_%28cspgs%29/8626/supervisory_area_cer
tification_%28numbers_88_-_92%29
Specialists- Supervisory Area
Certifications
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Development and deployment
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Summer 2013
Pilot Fall 2013-2014
Full implementation 2014-2015
Email akirby-wehr@pattan.net
Upcoming Events
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Specialists Stakeholder Groups- June 20th and
21st
Full-scale pilot- Fall 2013
Contact Information
www.pattan.net
Angela Kirby-Wehr
Akirby-wehr@pattan.net
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Tom Corbett, Governor
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Ronald J. Tomalis, Secretary
Dr. Carolyn Dumaresq, Deputy Secretary
Office for Elementary and Secondary Education
John J. Tommasini, Director
Bureau of Special Education
Malcom Conner
Assistant Director
Bureau of Special Education