This is from Gene Mann's The Organizer concerning the observation process. Read and use it to your advantage teachers.
Teachers and the observation process
The UFT seized the opportunity presented by the 2018 contract negotiations with the city Department of Education to revise the teacher evaluation system to focus on quality of observations rather than quantity and to incorporate meaningful professional development as part of the process. Here’s what you can expect for the 2019–20 school year.
How many times will I be observed this school year?
The required minimum number of evaluations will be fewer for the vast majority of teachers.
If you are a tenured teacher, the number of observations your principal or other evaluator will conduct depends on your overall rating from previous school years.
Highly Effective for the prior year: minimum of two informal observations.
Effective in the prior year and Highly Effective, Effective or Satisfactory in the year before that:minimum of two informal observations.
Effective in the prior year and Developing, Ineffective or Unsatisfactory in the year before that:minimum of three informal observations.
Effective in the prior year and no rating in the year before that: minimum of one informal and one formal observation.
Developing in the prior year: minimum of one formal and three informal observations.
Ineffective in the prior year: minimum of one formal and four informal observations.
No rating in the prior year: minimum of one formal and three informal observations.
If you are a probationary teacher, you will receive a minimum of one formal and three informal observations. If you are a probationary teacher who was rated Ineffective in the previous school year, you’ll receive a minimum of one formal and four informal observations.
As in previous years, there is no maximum number of observations. (Emphais added by ICEUFT blog)
When will my observations be conducted?
In a change from previous years, the 2019–20 school year will have two “observation windows.” The fall window begins with the initial planning conference, which must take place no later than the last Friday in October, and ends on the last day of the fall term. The spring window begins on the first day of the spring term and ends on the first Friday in June. Half of the required minimum number of observations must take place during the fall window; the other half must be done in the spring. You should not be observed during the spring window until you receive the final required evaluator form for all required observations during the fall window.
What kind of professional development and training about the evaluation system will I receive?
The UFT and the DOE have collaborated to develop new joint training sessions regarding the evaluation system. All employees — teachers, administrators and other evaluators — will receive the same training so everyone is on the same page regarding evaluation. This training will take place at your school during the workday no later than the last Friday in October.
In addition, the joint DOE-UFT professional learning team is working to provide guidance on the use of evaluation tools for specific teaching settings such as special education, English as a new language and physical education classrooms.
What is the difference between a formal and an informal observation?
A formal observation lasts a full period, is scheduled ahead of time by mutual agreement between you and your evaluator and must involve individual pre- and post-observation conferences with your evaluator. An informal observation lasts a minimum of 15 minutes, may be unannounced and does not require pre- and post-observation conferences, although your evaluator may conduct them.
What aspects of my teaching will be evaluated during an observation?
As in previous years, evaluators will base their ratings on eight components of the Danielson Rubric:
1a: Demonstrating knowledge of content and pedagogy;
1e: Designing coherent instruction;
2a: Creating an environment of respect and rapport;
2d: Managing student behavior;
3b: Using questioning and discussion techniques;
3c: Engaging students in learning;
3d: Using assessment in instruction;
4e: Growing and developing professionally.
When and how will I receive feedback on my observations?
The UFT believes timely feedback is critical for professional growth. Your principal or other evaluator must provide feedback within 10 school days after your observation. Feedback can be provided through an in-person conversation, in writing, via email or through any other form of communication. At your Initial Planning Conference, you may indicate a preference regarding the feedback format.
In this feedback, your evaluator must tell you whether the observation will be used for evaluative purposes. Your evaluator must provide you with an evaluator form no later than 30 school days after your observation.
From the time an observation is conducted until the time you receive the evaluator form for it, your evaluator may conduct only one additional evaluative observation (formal or informal).
When should I expect to meet with my evaluator?
Your evaluator must conduct an Initial Planning Conference with you no later than the last Friday in October. This in-person conversation between you and your evaluator should take place at a mutually agreed upon time. This conference is an opportunity for you to discuss previous evaluations, current classes and plans for the upcoming school year.
Your evaluator must also conduct a summative conference with you between the last Friday in April and the last Friday in June. This in-person conversation gives you a chance to talk about the year’s observations and to answer any questions your evaluator has.
All I can add is that I would request a post-observation conference for feedback so that you can get to show your side of the lesson in advance of the observation report being written. I would do this unless you are assured of good observations in advance as some of you are.
16 comments:
The million dollar question is as follows: Are admins actually going to be doing the minimum of 2 observations for tenured teachers or are they going to be doing more? This is the MAJOR talking point for the teachers at my school. I would really like to hear if anybody has inside info on what they have heard from their individual schools in regard to this.
People who are in admin's pocket get two. More for the rest of us.
Rumor is that my Principal wants to do more than Two….
My AP is lazy, but he kisses up to the Principal and he loves kiss ups.
So, let’s see. What happens if they do two for some people and more for some people in the same department and same eval results last year? Can that be harassment?
It's Festivus for the rest of us. That would be December 23rd, now a day off thanks to that publicity.
You folks should scream about Danielson, or any of the other numerous affronts wiped onto teachers by the DOE and rubber stamped by the UFT, the same way everyone did about the 23rd, or better yet protest, then you might see some change.
Otherwise, things will get even worse - it’s like Bloomberg never left office; the only ones happy are Mulgrew and his toadies.
Like everything in Danielsen, the question is ‘how much does your principal like you?’
Do you Show up when you are sick? Do you volunteer at PDs? Will you do anything the APs ask?
If so, you will be observed in a more generous way. However, complain about poorly behaved students, fill out removal forms, or fail kids and be prepared for admins to go harsh on you.
That’s what danielsen is. How much does your principal like you?
We are all one vindictive principal away from 3020 which the Doe never loses.
Hey James- Can an F Status AP conduct observations?
What is the UFT's position? If they won't fight it, the answer is yes.
Sadly, I agree with Mike except I would say DOE almost never loses.
This year at my school, the principal is keeping all tenured and effective rated teachers on the “old 4 observation schedule”. Meaning all teachers are being assigned 4 observations still this year told to us during the initial planning conference. (From 4 different aps) We are told which two will count on advance and which two won’t.
Is this legal??
I know it’s a minimum of 2 observations so it’s a grey area.
But all staff prescheduled to have 4??
Thoughts and comments appreciated!
She can put as many as she wants on Advance after two minimum and there is no maximum. An evaluator can wait until feedback to tell you an observation will count in Advance.
I think chapters should use Article 19 Chapter Committee Consultations to raise these issues.
James, what do you think the percentage is of the doe winning 3020 cases?
In all but a few the DOE gets a reprimand, a fine, a suspension or termination. Only a few win outright.
At our school, cluster teachers have had a minimum of 10 drive by's this year and some as many as 12 in only 20 school days. Classroom teachers have had anywhere between 3 and 5 unofficial observations thus far this school year. UUMMM, not sure what this is but seems to be a cluster F____ or something going on with veterans who hold cluster positions.
Anyone else experiencing the same???
Yes
Cluster under attack here
Let's talk
I'll post my email
You know where to find us.
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