Meetings
| TO: |
Members, Indiana Professional Standards
Board |
| FROM: |
- Steve Yager, Chair
- Teacher Induction Committee
|
| DATE: |
April 28,
1999 |
| SUBJECT: |
Expanding
Implementation for 1999-2001 Induction Assessment Process |
In June 1997, the Indiana Professional Standards
Board (IPSB) approved a new assessment system for Indiana education professionals
that would encompass performance-based assessment to induct beginning teachers
into the profession. A structure was recommended for continuing the development
and monitoring of the implementation of the proposed system. In March 1998,
the IPSB approved a recommendation to award a contract to an Education
Service Center for three demonstration sites. Through the approval of the
Executive Committee and after review of the Teacher Induction Workgroup,
now known as the Teacher Induction Committee (TIC), a work plan and contractor
selection was made. Region 8 Education Service Center (ESC) was awarded
the contract. The TIC has monitored and assessed the accomplishments of
the contractor which has been delivering the logistical support needed
to implement the Beginning Teacher Induction Performance Assessment Program
(BTIPAP).
At the March 1999, Discussion Session, the TIC
highlighted the strengths and weaknesses identified in this year's contract
with Region 8 ESC. A summary of these highlights is attached. The next
day the Committee recommended the Board, subject to the final biennium
budget appropriation, renew the contract with Region 8 ESC for a two-year
period. This recommendation was based on but not limited to the following
rationale:
- Due to the relatively short implementation
period, the data available from this year's contract is insufficient
to conclude whether or not the contract's overall objectives have been
met. A continuance with Region 8 ESC, which has made sufficient progress,
will allow the learning process to build upon the time invested with
the contractor and subcontractor staffs during the past year.
- A renewed contract also will allow for an earlier,
on time, implementation of the fall activities than would be possible
with a new contractor. Not repeating start up delays encountered during
this year's contract would forestall creating another short implementation
period.
Based on what has been learned during this year's
contract implementation, the following improvements will be made to the current
contract specifications:
- The contractor's and subcontractors' roles
will be clarified and include written subcontracts for all services to
be delivered. Subcontractors will be selected through a Request for Proposal
(RFP) process conducted by Region 8 ESC. The RFP will be widely advertised
and disseminated to ESCs and entities other than ESCs. Host sites will
be set up in each of six regions with clear performance standards defined
for each site. The TIC will determine which three regions will be added
for the 1999-2000 school year.
- An ongoing strategy for training all contract
and program participants will be maintained.
- The governance of local advisory groups will
be maintained or established in each region with clear expectations of
their roles to monitor the integrity of the process of the implementation
through the contractor and subcontractors.
- Focus groups will be organized to provide feedback
to the Board through the TIC regarding the implementation of the BTIPAP.
- Strategies will be developed to enlist the
cooperation and participation of the higher education community and urban
school districts, where present, in each region established as a demonstration
site.
The following issues will continue to be addressed
through the contract, with the addition of determining the capacity of entities
other than the ESCs to provide subcontractor support:
- The feasibility of the portfolio assessment
for the purposes of licensing beginning teachers to teach in Indiana
in view of the diversity of beginning teachers, learners, school districts
and regions of the state;
- The necessary capabilities and characteristics
of the contractor and subcontractors to handle logistics associated with
implementation of the induction portfolio assessment;
- The district support necessary for beginning
teacher/mentor teams to prepare for the induction portfolio assessment;
- The district training needs to enable successful
support of beginning teacher/mentor teams during the induction assessment;
and
- The capacity of Education Service Centers and/or
entities other than Education Service Centers to handle logistics associated
with the implementation and deliverables necessary for the induction
portfolio assessment process.
Teacher Induction Committee Recommendation:
It is the recommendation of the Teacher
Induction Committee to amend and renew, subject to the final biennium budget
appropriation, the IPSB contract with Region 8 Education Service Center
(ESC) to: (1) implement the Beginning Teacher Induction Performance Assessment
Program (BTIPAP) in six content areas on a limited basis in six regions
of the state in 1999- 2000; (2) implement the BTIPAP in six content areas
on a full scale basis in all nine regions of the state in 2000-2001; and
(3) conduct a Request for Proposals process to solicit subcontractors from
among the ESCs and entities other than the ESCs to assist in implementing
the contract. Region 8 ESC will recommend subcontractors to the Teacher
Induction Committee (TIC) based on selection criteria established by the
TIC. The TIC will recommend subcontractors to the Executive Committee for
final approval.
Professional Standards Board Action:
Attachment: March 17, 1999, Discussion Notes for
the 1999-2001 Contract for Induction Assessment
Discussion Notes for the 1999-2001 Contract
for Induction Assessment
Used for the Presentation to the Indiana Professional Standards Board
Discussion Session: March 17, 1999
Presented by
Steven Yager, Sheridan Rayl, Joy Seybold and Patricia Strawbridge
| 1. |
- Goals for the Contract, March 1998
 |
To allocate all logistics associated
with induction portfolio assessment |
|
Allow IPSB staff to conceptualize, develop,
refine and oversee the implementation of the induction assessment
process |
|
| 2. |
Action for Contract, March 1998
|
Award the contract to a primary Education
Service Center (ESC) for demonstration sites |
|
Approval of the Work Plan and Selection
of the contractor by the Executive Committee |
|
| 3. |
Work Plan for Contractor
|
Recruit intern/mentor teams |
|
Arrange logistics for all program events |
|
Provide technical assistance |
|
Recruit qualified, diverse representation
for scorers' pool |
|
Develop models of support to interns |
|
Provide informational, professional
resources |
|
| 4. |
Contractor Expectations: Status
|
Success of intern/mentor teams recruitment
varied |
|
Adequate facilities provided |
|
Initial technical assistance available |
|
Recruitment of scorers uneven |
|
Support models yet to be achieved |
|
Limited informational resources |
|
| 5. |
Contractor Tasks
|
Develop primary demonstration site |
|
Subcontract two other demonstration
sites |
|
Develop Local Advisory Groups to monitor
site activity |
|
Develop and maintain database |
|
Arrange and pay for all travel of IPSB
staff |
|
Make all payments associated with the
Work Plan |
|
| 6. |
Contractor Tasks: Status
|
Functioned as the primary site |
|
Level of participation by subcontractors
at two other demonstration sites varied |
|
Local Advisory Groups are selected;
Focus Groups are not established |
|
Access of database is insufficient |
|
Travel arrangements complete |
|
Payments on schedule |
|
| 7. |
Issues to be Addressed in the Biennial Contract
|
Feasibility of portfolio
assessment in view of state's diversity |
|
Necessary capabilities and characteristics of
contractors |
|
District support to prepare
interns/mentors |
|
District training to enable
intern/mentor success |
|
Capacity of ESC to handle
logistics |
|
| 8. |
What Was Learned in This Contract
|
Insufficient data to conclude the assessment
of the contract |
|
Start date of the contract affected
the outcomes |
|
Contractor's role with IPSB and subcontractors
unclear |
|
Training coexists with experience |
|
Field testing with volunteers has limitations |
|
Develop and revisit projected timeline |
|
| 9. |
Global Issues
|
Equitable support for interns/mentors
in view of diversity |
|
Partnerships of stakeholders |
|
Well informed constituency |
|
Governance to assure integrity
of the process |
|
Adequate transition to refine
the system |
|
| 10. |
Key Issues
|
Improve the services delivery by the
contractor |
|
Develop clear expectations of subcontractors |
|
Research alternatives for subcontractors |
|
| 11. |
Next Steps
|
IPSB provide parameters on induction
contract for the Teacher Induction Committee (TIC) |
|
TIC bring recommendation to the IPSB
in April |
|
Biennium budget approval for implementation
in six regions of the state, 1999-2000; implementation in all
regions of the state, 2000-2001 |
|
| 12. |
Options for Next Contract
|
X
|
Broad Agency Announcement |
|
X
|
Renegotiate contract with Region 8 ESC
and other ESCs |
|
Renegotiate the primary contract with
Region 8 ESC; Region 8 ESC disseminates a Request for Proposals
to other entities for subcontracting specific areas of services |
|