SCS Department of

Human ResourcesAcademic Performance Committee Meeting

September, 2020

Current Conditions

www.scsk12.org

• Historically, SCS has hired from 600-800 teachers annually.

• 2020-21 candidate pool goal: 2,800 (3 candidates per vacancy)

• 2018 Educator Preparation Report Card TN State Completers: 3,063 (9.3% AA,

2.6% Latino, 4.5 % Secondary Math).

• 99% of our vacancies have been filled for the 2020-21 school year (63 instructional

vacancies s filled out of 5,831 teacher type positions ).

• Currently, we have 4 High School EOC Vacancies.

• No funding was available for recruitment bonuses for the 20-21 school year.

Content Area # of Vacancies School Location

Algebra I 2 Bolton High School

Mitchell High School

Algebra II 2 Northeast Prep High School

Wooddale High School

Current Staffing and Recruitment

Strategies

www.scsk12.org

We are implementing a newly designed recruitment/retention plan which offers varied opportunities to

secure teachers. (8 events in 4 months yielded 324 new hires.) These best practices will drive the work

throughout the year-round strategic staffing/retention plan:

Recruitment/Staffing:

1. Tracking and analyzing data (Data Driven Talent Management (DDTM) with a focus on accountability and customer service)

2. Developing a strategic calendar and starting early (collaboration with key departments)

3. Enhanced Online Marketing

4. Pipeline Programs-TFA, MTR, River City, Relay (60 Teach for America (TFA) and 33 Memphis Teacher Residency

(MTR) candidates were hired for SY 2020-21. Thirty-nine employees began Relay classes July 2020 to complete coursework towards

obtaining licensure.)

5. Approaching job fairs as a strategic gateway

6. Refining HR Processes and candidate cultivation strategy

Initiatives:

Recruitment Incentives: Hard to Staff Stipends, Relocation allowances, I-Zone Stipends, etc.

Virtual Hiring Events

Virtual College and University Recruitment Webinars

New Principal Ambassadors

Subway to Teach Hiring Event

Staffing and Recruitment Strategies

www.scsk12.org

Initiatives:

• Mid-Year Hiring Event for December Graduates

• Why SCS Why 901 Webinars

• Educational Preparation Partners

• Grow Your Own Partnerships

• Aspiring Teacher Program (Praxis support for Educational Assistants, Permit Teachers,

Substitute Teachers)

• AA Male Task Force

• Retention Task Force established to support with transformation strategy (Collaboration with

Academics, PD and HR)

• Online Praxis Support using 240 Tutoring and PCG education platforms

• Face-to face praxis sessions led by SCS teachers

• Strategic Staffing Meetings with ILDs and Principals

• Support for schools with >30% attrition rate (Partnership with Academics and PD)

Retention Strategies:

SCS Cares

www.scsk12.org

New Teacher Retention and Support

New Hire Orientation, SCS Orientation and Onboarding Re-Set , SCS New Teacher Social

Networking/Message Board, New Memphis Collaboration, Aspiring Teacher Program (Praxis Support for

permit teachers, substitute teachers and paraprofessionals), Licensure Support Sessions (one per semester),

and an enhanced recruitment strategy that includes cultivation and recovery strategy

Employee Appreciation and Incentives

SCS Superheroes, Teacher Referral Program, Teacher Stipends, Employee Engagement Survey/Strategic

Plan, Employee Service Awards, Retirement Celebration, Employee Discounts, and Tenure Recognition

Employee Support

Teacher Focus Groups, Exit Surveys and Exit Interviews/Strategic Plan, Customer Service that Works:

Central Office Implementation, Retention Task Force, and Tuition IO Financial Wellness Program

HR/Health Matters: Wellness and Healthy Living

Omada Digital Health Awareness, Employee Health Clinics, Employee Assistance Program, Benefits Fair,

and Open Enrollment Employee Support

Proximity Learning

www.scsk12.org

• Proximity Learning ® is an accredited temporary staffing option to fill vacant

teaching positions. Human Resources will continue to recruit for positions.

Principals will be able to make permanent candidate recommendations for hire.

• Students will receive instruction from live, highly qualified, TN state certified

teachers. The classrooms contain tools such as webcams and microphone access

so students can remain engaged.

• The live courses are designed to work around the school’s bell schedule, calendar

and curriculum.

Proximity Learning

www.scsk12.org

Why Use A PLI Teacher?

*PLI is a contingency option when all other staffing strategies have been exhausted.

• Maternity Leave

• Unable to find a certified teacher locally

• Teacher quits during the school year and can’t replace them

• Student academic success has decreased

Proximity Stats: 9 Years in Business, 100+ Districts Across 26 states , 40,000+

Students Instructed Daily, 300+ Teachers on Staff

Proximity Learning

www.scsk12.org

The three unique qualities of Proximity Learning ® are:

Live Teaching

Customization to meet the district's needs

High pass rates/low drop-out rates

Product Details:

Live Instruction

Section start month: 2 weeks after PLI receives all required documentation

The quote is for up to 42 sections which translates to 7 teachers

Current Contracted Amount: Up to $392,700.00 with an option to discontinue sessions when

full time teachers are hired.

COST: $392,700.00

Proximity Learning

www.scsk12.org

Curriculum

Middle School

English: 6-8

Math: 6-8, Pre-Alg., Algebra

History: 6-8

Science: 6-8

High School

• English: I-IV

• Math: Pre-Alg, Algebra I-II, Geometry, Pre-Calc

• History: US History, US Government, World History, World Geography

• Science: Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics

World Languages

• Spanish: I-III

• French: I-III

• ASL: I-IV

• Chinese: I-AP

• German: I-II

• Latin: I-AP

Technology Enhanced Option:

Proximity Learning

www.scsk12.org

• Current EOC Vacancies:

* 2 Algebra I (Bolton High School, Mitchell High School)

* 2 Algebra II (Northeast Prep High School, Wooddale High School)

• Each class will have a classroom facilitator (designated staff member). Proximity will

train facilitators on classroom management and how to effectively support the live

teacher. The classroom facilitator is expected to login to the online environment

with students to monitor activity. Additionally, he/she should monitor student

behavior, provide encouragement to students, maintain student engagement,

monitor student attendance and assist the Proximity Learning teacher as needed.

• The classroom facilitator or principal designee will enter grades provided by the

Proximity Learning teacher in Powerschool.

Proximity Learning

www.scsk12.org

School Customization

• Each class is aligned to the school’s bell schedule

• PLI will train paraprofessionals to assist

• Expectations are set by the principal /school leadership

• Program for students can be designed to address IEPs

• PLI will adopt the SCS grading policy

Proximity Learning:

Curriculum

www.scsk12.org

• SCS Curriculum and Instruction Department in partnership with

the school liaison will provide curriculum standards to Proximity.

• The Proximity Learning teacher will conduct an initial assessment

of all students.

• Students will have unlimited access to online course content at

their convenience.

Proximity Learning

www.scsk12.org

How will the school communicate with Proximity Learning?

• Proximity Learning will have a designated academic liaison to

address school, student, and/or parent concerns.

• The program can be designed to address IEPs.

• The classroom facilitator or school academic liaison will contact

Proximity’s academic liaison with any questions or concerns related

to proximity learning.

• The Proximity Learning teacher is available for student/parent

conferences.

Proximity Learning Services

2019-20

www.scsk12.org

The following schools used Proximity Services during the 2019-20

school year:

• Central High School (Biology)

• Kingsbury High School (Algebra II)

• Northwest Prep High School (Algebra II)

• Carver High School (Algebra I and II)

• Newcomer’s International School (Algebra I)

Total Cost for Services for the 2019-20 School Year: $178,119.50

Proximity Learning:

SCS Feedback

www.scsk12.org

Carver High School

Re: PLI Teacher - Ms. Kenon

“Algebra 1 classes were rocking and rolling, Michaela Kenon was a great teacher! Next year is unknown and it

is a district decision if they will use Proximity and which schools will get to use it. They do currently still have

the same vacancies and if they are unable to find in-person teachers, would gladly use Proximity again.”

-Principal James Suggs

Newcomers International High School

Re: PLI Teacher - Ms. Neal

“Kids had a tough time bouncing back after their previous teacher quit in the middle of the school year, so

motivating them was tough. Ms. Neal did a phenomenal job, given the circumstances, as these students have

anywhere from a 3 to 9-year gap in learning, yet the district required curriculum is extremely rigorous.”

-Principal Gabriella Toro

Proximity Learning:

SCS Feedback

www.scsk12.org

Central High School

“Things overall went well this year. Areas for improvement included finding an effective facilitator, as

well as needing to transfer grades to their system, and parents not understanding that the grades in

Canvas were the most up to date, not the grades in PS. There were also some issues with parents

reaching out directly to the teachers (Mr. Love) and him not responding until I or school admin were

notified. I think this was more due to him not knowing that it was OK to respond per our company

policy.”

-Principal Amy Epps

Kingsbury High School

“The program was able to be as successful as it was in large part due to the facilitator, Ms. Crawford.

Since the classes didn't start until Dec/Jan, it took students about a month to adjust, but being able to

immediately see their grades helped motivate students. From an administrative standpoint, it was a

good situation because they had Ms. Crawford, who they knew could control the classroom.”

-Vice Principal Yolanda

Young

Proximity Learning:

SCS Feedback

www.scsk12.org

Northwest Prep High School

Re: PLI Teacher - Ms. Austin

“Ms. Austin was great! She was knowledgeable and the students had a higher quality teacher in front of them

because of her. She had a lot of resilience dealing with students who were not always easy to handle and

would be disrespectful at times. She modeled resilience, focused on the task at hand and implemented

different strategies to problem solve."

-Assistant Principal Soya Moore

Proximity Learning

www.scsk12.org

Questions

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