Elwood BOE Approves Teacher Evaluation Plan

Elwood Board of Education trustees approved a new APPR plan for teacher evaluations on June 29 following a sign-off by the Elwood Teachers Association and the administrative unit. Superintendent Peter Scordo said he was unable to disclose details on the plan until it is approved by the state's Education Department.

"We worked very hard," Scordo said Friday afternoon. "We're very happy with it."

Under the state guidelines, 80 percent of the evaluation specifics must be bargained collectively at the local level, including observations which comprise 60 percent of the grade, and 20 percent based on student achievements on tests selected on a local level. The balance of twenty percent is based on state test scores.

Of the 60 percent based on observations, 31 percent would be based on classroom observations conducted by principals or administrators, with at least one unannounced observation. The remaining 29 percent, which is subject to collective bargaining, could be based on a combination of things, including observations by independent trained evaluators, student portfolios, and/or student and parent feedback.

Teachers would receive a rating of ineffective, developing, effective, and highly effective. Those rated ineffective in the 40 points under student achievement could not receive a developing, effective or highly effective score overall. A teacher who receives an ineffective rating must receive support and training to improve. Two consecutive ineffective ratings could lead to dismissal. The appeals process must be bargained collectively.

Under new state guidelines,  by Jan. 17, 2013 or risk losing an increase in state aid.

“The APPR is a cumbersome unfunded mandate that could become very costly in the future, so I am concerned by State Lawmakers’ rush to move forward without understanding the long-term financial impact of implementation," Board VP Dan Ciccone said. 

"This notwithstanding, compliments need to go to Superintendent Peter Scordo, and Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum Maryann Llewellyn, as well as the officers of our Teachers’ Union and Administrators’ Union for coming to a meeting of the minds and reaching agreement after an arduous negotiation.  We have adopted an evaluative structure and process that meets both the spirit of the law and Board of Education expectations of fairness and greater accountability in the classroom. Education in Elwood has taken another big step forward today, and I am personally proud of everyone involved in this cooperative effort."

Scordo, who had said at the end of May that he felt the district would have a plan in place before the end of the school year, cautioned that the APPR was still a work-in-progress. He noted that the state needs to review each part of the roughly 75 page document. Approval of the plan could take place by Sept. 1.