Meetings

MEMORANDUM

TO: Members, Indiana Professional Standards Board

FROM: Teacher Induction Committee

DATE: June 21, 2000

SUBJECT: Final Report on Education Service Center Contract

Region 8 Education Service Center (ESC) has completed one year of service of a biennial contract to provide logistical support to the Beginning Teacher Induction Performance Assessment Program (BTIPAP). The following report will reflect the first year of the seven categories of services outlined in the contract:

I. The Contractor shall implement inclusively the four regions designated, the regional higher education institutions, and at least one urban school district.

The recruitment of beginning teacher/mentors teams, local advisory group members, and scorers has included all areas of the region. At least one higher education institution and an urban school district have been identified within regions as required. The contractor has logistically facilitated sessions beyond the local advisory groups and support seminars, yet has not invited focus groups to make contributions. Region 9 has not been involved through regular Education Service Center channels to achieve invitation to the development of district support models. Region 8 has subcontracted the recruitment of beginning teachers and the facilitation of the support seminars in Region 9, but has not created adequate channels to fulfill other activities of the contract.

II. The Contractor shall show evidence that all demonstration sites meet expectations of logistical support in regard to portfolio development, training, and IPSB administration/ governance.

Recruitment of beginning teacher/mentor teams took place in all four regions. The requested number of recruits was not met and the Teachers-in-Residence had to undertake the task to make numbers suitable for program needs. Though the contractor stated that all sites were consistently informed of their responsibilities, there were times when subcontractors did not appear well versed in their basic responsibilities (e.g. support seminar needs and reporting responsibilities). Timely disbursement of expenditures and cost effective measures have occurred to comply with state expense policies. Facilities have been provided at the event sites; however, timely reminders to participants, materials, and equipment have continued to be a problem. Arrangements for out-of -state travel have been made as needed.

III. The Contractor shall show evidence that each demonstration site has developed or has a plan for developing a process for enlisting cooperation and support of all education stakeholders.

Generally, efforts have been made to inform regional constituents of the new assessment system through regular channels of activity within the work of the ESC. The newsletter has been disseminated to a wider audience of stakeholders (e.g. state education organizations, participating beginning teachers, mentors, and administrators, scorers, unit heads, TIC members, and the Board) this year. A more concerted effort is needed to organize focus groups to develop an understanding of the program.

IV. The Contractor shall ensure that teachers have equal opportunity to succeed by providing models for mentoring, training for administrators, and developing a networking of participants for support.

Three of the four regions have taken a different approach to studying and establishing models for mentoring beginning teachers in order to assist the Teacher Induction Committee in developing adequate support during the induction period. The contractor notes that schools have adopted a "wait and see" attitude that keeps them from moving beyond an awareness level to a constructive engagement of equitable support plans for beginning teachers in relation to the new program. Thus, district support models have not been addressed. Initial strides have been made to establish a networking support system for all participants through the BTIPAP web site. Implementation of this networking has not occurred.

V. The Contractor shall establish a Local Advisory Group (LAG) in each demonstration site to ensure and maintain procedural integrity and shall show evidence of implementing the Local Advisory Group charge.

Local Advisory Groups were established in each region. Three of the regions met on a quarterly basis. Region 9 was organized in time to meet twice this year. The LAGs are becoming more familiar with the program, thus, exhibiting more ownership in serving in an advisory capacity. Cross representation of stakeholders was achieved in each group except in the central region where the teacher cadre needs to increase. Region 1 needs to report their sessions to the IPSB in a more timely fashion.

VI. The Contractor shall develop a system that will provide data for program implementation, research and documentation.

The contractor recognizes the need for an ongoing improved database management system. At present, the information provided to the IPSB exemplifies no more than rosters of information. A web site has been established but accuracy and currency of data continues to be a problem regarding attendance records, participant registration, and contact information. The IPSB staff needs to be able to aggregate information in a variety of ways to be adequately informed of program successes and concerns.

VII. The Contractor shall show evidence of timely delivery of the contract expectations, adherence to or appropriate modification of the action plan, professional standards of presentation in correspondence and materials, adequate dissemination of information regarding program specifics, equitable delivery of the program, and progress from former reports.

The contractor has followed the action plan and made modifications as needed. Subcontractors have shown efforts to cooperate and comply with IPSB program needs. The IPSB staff continues to spend considerable time in proofing and editing materials for accuracy and absence of mechanical errors. Efforts have been made to provide services in an equitable manner in the four regions. However, information to all participants of program events must improve. An omission of a significant number of scorers on the newsletter mailing list prohibited early planning of participants to attend training in June, thus altering the return of some.

TO:	Members, Indiana Professional Standards Board
FROM:	Teacher Induction Committee
DATE:	June 21, 2000
SUBJECT:	Final Report on Education Service Center Contract

I.	The Contractor shall implement inclusively the four regions designated, the regional higher education institutions, and at least one urban school district.
	The recruitment of beginning teacher/mentors teams, local advisory group members, and scorers has included all areas of the region. At least one higher education institution and an urban school district have been identified within regions as required. The contractor has logistically facilitated sessions beyond the local advisory groups and support seminars, yet has not invited focus groups to make contributions. Region 9 has not been involved through regular Education Service Center channels to achieve invitation to the development of district support models. Region 8 has subcontracted the recruitment of beginning teachers and the facilitation of the support seminars in Region 9, but has not created adequate channels to fulfill other activities of the contract.
II.	The Contractor shall show evidence that all demonstration sites meet expectations of logistical support in regard to portfolio development, training, and IPSB administration/ governance.
	Recruitment of beginning teacher/mentor teams took place in all four regions. The requested number of recruits was not met and the Teachers-in-Residence had to undertake the task to make numbers suitable for program needs. Though the contractor stated that all sites were consistently informed of their responsibilities, there were times when subcontractors did not appear well versed in their basic responsibilities (e.g. support seminar needs and reporting responsibilities). Timely disbursement of expenditures and cost effective measures have occurred to comply with state expense policies. Facilities have been provided at the event sites; however, timely reminders to participants, materials, and equipment have continued to be a problem. Arrangements for out-of -state travel have been made as needed.
III.	The Contractor shall show evidence that each demonstration site has developed or has a plan for developing a process for enlisting cooperation and support of all education stakeholders.
	Generally, efforts have been made to inform regional constituents of the new assessment system through regular channels of activity within the work of the ESC. The newsletter has been disseminated to a wider audience of stakeholders (e.g. state education organizations, participating beginning teachers, mentors, and administrators, scorers, unit heads, TIC members, and the Board) this year. A more concerted effort is needed to organize focus groups to develop an understanding of the program.
IV.	The Contractor shall ensure that teachers have equal opportunity to succeed by providing models for mentoring, training for administrators, and developing a networking of participants for support.
	Three of the four regions have taken a different approach to studying and establishing models for mentoring beginning teachers in order to assist the Teacher Induction Committee in developing adequate support during the induction period. The contractor notes that schools have adopted a "wait and see" attitude that keeps them from moving beyond an awareness level to a constructive engagement of equitable support plans for beginning teachers in relation to the new program. Thus, district support models have not been addressed. Initial strides have been made to establish a networking support system for all participants through the BTIPAP web site. Implementation of this networking has not occurred.
V.	The Contractor shall establish a Local Advisory Group (LAG) in each demonstration site to ensure and maintain procedural integrity and shall show evidence of implementing the Local Advisory Group charge.
	Local Advisory Groups were established in each region. Three of the regions met on a quarterly basis. Region 9 was organized in time to meet twice this year. The LAGs are becoming more familiar with the program, thus, exhibiting more ownership in serving in an advisory capacity. Cross representation of stakeholders was achieved in each group except in the central region where the teacher cadre needs to increase. Region 1 needs to report their sessions to the IPSB in a more timely fashion.
VI.	The Contractor shall develop a system that will provide data for program implementation, research and documentation.
	The contractor recognizes the need for an ongoing improved database management system. At present, the information provided to the IPSB exemplifies no more than rosters of information. A web site has been established but accuracy and currency of data continues to be a problem regarding attendance records, participant registration, and contact information. The IPSB staff needs to be able to aggregate information in a variety of ways to be adequately informed of program successes and concerns.
VII.	The Contractor shall show evidence of timely delivery of the contract expectations, adherence to or appropriate modification of the action plan, professional standards of presentation in correspondence and materials, adequate dissemination of information regarding program specifics, equitable delivery of the program, and progress from former reports.
	The contractor has followed the action plan and made modifications as needed. Subcontractors have shown efforts to cooperate and comply with IPSB program needs. The IPSB staff continues to spend considerable time in proofing and editing materials for accuracy and absence of mechanical errors. Efforts have been made to provide services in an equitable manner in the four regions. However, information to all participants of program events must improve. An omission of a significant number of scorers on the newsletter mailing list prohibited early planning of participants to attend training in June, thus altering the return of some.