Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network

Specialists and Licensed Professionals Spring Mini-Pilot

Angela Kirby-Wehr

PaTTAN’s Mission

The mission of the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN)

is to support the efforts and initiatives of the Bureau of Special Education, and to build the capacity of local educational

agencies to serve students who receive special education services.

PDE’s Commitment to Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)

Our goal for each child is to ensure Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams begin with the general education

setting with the use of Supplementary Aids and Services before considering a

more restrictive environment.

Objectives:

Who Are Educational Specialists? Update on mini-pilot

Background Review expectations

Data Collection Modified Rubric (web-based systems) AIR Survey

Specialists Supervisory Area Certifications (CSPG

88-92) Upcoming Event

Who are Educational Specialists?

Educational Specialists are defined in Pennsylvania School Code with the scope of their certificates and assignments described in Certification and Staffing Polices and Guidelines (CSPGs).

Currently CSPG 75 through 81 list the following specialist certifications:

Dental Hygienist Elementary School Counselor Home and School Visitor Instructional Technology Specialist Secondary School Counselor School Nurse School Psychologist

PDE is in the process of working with stakeholder groups from across the Commonwealth to revise the Danielson Framework for Teaching to reflect the specific roles and functions of the identified specialist groups

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What about other Licensed Staff hired under Teacher Contracts?

Given that many LEAs hire licensed professionals under teacher contracts who are not certificated as specialists under Pennsylvania School Code, PDE has made a decision to develop revised Danielson Framework for Teaching rubrics for the following roles:

Occupational Therapist Physical Therapist Social Workers Behavior Specialists

PDE is in the process of working with stakeholder groups from across the Commonwealth to revise the Danielson Framework for Teaching to reflect the specific roles and functions of the identified licensed professionals.

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Observation/ Evidence 80%

Student Performance 20%

Observation/ EvidenceDanielson Framework Domains1. Planning and Preparation2. Educational Environment3. Delivery of Service 4. Professional Development

Student Performance of All Students in the School Building in which the Nonteaching Professional Employee is Employed District Designed Measures and ExaminationsNationally Recognized Standardized TestsIndustry Certification ExaminationsStudent Projects Pursuant to Local RequirementsStudent Portfolios Pursuant to Local Requirements

Non Teaching Professional Employee Effectiveness System in Act 82 (HB 1901)

Educator Effectiveness

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/educator_effectiveness_project/20903

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Update on mini-pilot Background

During the 2013 Spring Pilot, participating evaluators will be using the modified rubrics to assign performance ratings. However, performance ratings should not be used to make high stakes decisions (e.g., they should not become a part of an employee’s personnel file, etc.). 

The content within the modified rubrics (including descriptions of performance relative to professional standards and guidelines and exemplars) will be reviewed and discussed by the evaluator and employee who will then independently complete a survey that will be used to inform ongoing validation efforts.

Update on mini-pilot

Expectations for participation in the pilot process include: 

If possible, it is strongly recommended that 2 different evaluators are assigned to each employee.

Each evaluator will have a pre-conference with the employee (2 separate pre-conferences). 

Each evaluator will conduct an observation utilizing the respective employee’s modified DRAFT rubric (observation).

Each evaluator and employee will review the evidence collected (post-conference).

 All evaluators and employees will complete a survey that will ask various questions about the instrument within the context of role and function, services and the evaluation process in general.

Evaluators will submit ratings for individual specialists and licensed professionals via an online data collection form

Participation:

Total of 47 LEAs participating Intermediate Units – 10 School Districts – 35 Technical HS/AVTS – 2

Data Collection

Modified Rubric AIR Survey

Specialists- Supervisory Area Certifications

CSPG 88 - Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction

CSPG 89 - Supervisor of Pupil Services

CSPG 90 - Supervisor of Single Area CSPG 91 -

Supervisor of Special Education CSPG 92 -

Supervisor of Vocational Education http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/certification_staffing_policies_%28cspgs%29/8626/supervisory_area_certification_%28numbers_88_-_92%29

Specialists- Supervisory Area Certifications Development and deployment

Summer 2013 Pilot Fall 2013-2014 Full implementation 2014-2015

Email akirby-wehr@pattan.net

Upcoming Events

Specialists Stakeholder Groups- June 20th and 21st

Full-scale pilot- Fall 2013

Contact Information www.pattan.net

Angela Kirby-Wehr

Akirby-wehr@pattan.net

Commonwealth of PennsylvaniaTom Corbett, Governor

Pennsylvania Department of EducationRonald J. Tomalis, Secretary

Dr. Carolyn Dumaresq, Deputy SecretaryOffice for Elementary and Secondary

Education

John J. Tommasini, DirectorBureau of Special Education

Malcom ConnerAssistant Director

Bureau of Special Education