SNAPSHOT: Do you do Teflon teacher evaluations? Do you worry that there aren't enough consequences--positive or negative? Are you concerned that your evaluations aren't rigorous and focused enough and that all of your teachers are "above average"?

When you identify weaknesses in teaching practices, is there enough follow-through to actually change what happens in the classroom?

Teacher accountability for student achievement is gaining momentum under the Obama administration. Join two former administrators from Cincinnati Public Schools, Kathleen Ware and Kathy Witherup, for a 2-hour webinar on Cincinnati's nationally acclaimed Teacher Evaluation System (TES), a system that was developed in negotiations with the teachers' union with the explicit goal of improving teaching skills and practices.

This webinar will help you take a fresh look at your current evaluation system and how it can be improved--even if you are not ready for a complete overhaul! Kathleen and Kathy will share the many important lessons the district learned as it implemented a system that is attracting national attention.

CD-ROM with instant access $197 You will be able to both hear the conference and view the Powerpoint slides on your computer. CD-ROM is shipped immediately. LISTEN NOW!>> Once you order the CD-ROM, we will email you a confirmation with instructions for instant online access! Need to pay by purchase order? Click here for information. Questions? Call 207-632-1954.

Cincinnati's TES divides the responsibility for evaluations among administrators, teacher evaluators and consulting teachers. This helps to increase frequency of evaluations. Multiple evaluators ensure a less subjective view and a fuller evaluation of a teacher's skill level. TES ties evaluations to clear standards and sets up a career ladder for teachers. Teachers who receive unsatisfactory evaluations are placed on intervention status.

Kathleen and Kathy will discuss Cincinnati's use of Charlotte Danielson's framework for teaching in creating its standards. The framework divides skills and responsibilities of teachers into 4 domains:

• Planning and Preparing for Student Learning
• Creating an Environment for Student Learning
• Teaching for Student Learning
• Professionalism.

CONFERENCE TOPICS: In this webinar, Kathleen Ware and Kathy Witherup will discuss the major challenges of doing effective teacher evaluations including:

• How to work collaboratively with teachers and the community
• How teacher evaluation can be linked to compensation
• Developing a standards-based system
• How to choose and train evaluators and how to ensure reliability
• How to make classroom observations and portfolio reviews more effective
• What is the most effective way to evaluate new teachers?
• Common errors in teacher evaluation
• The role of rubrics

Other insider tips and strategies to be covered in this 2-hour webinar include:

• What does it cost? Analysis of the cost of each TES component
• When and how to use consultants
• How to link evaluations and professional development
• How to track results
• How to create an evaluation system for principals and other administrators

Participants will have plenty of time to ask questions online about areas of particular concern. Kathleen and Kathy also will provide a list of resources for more exploration of this important subject.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:

Kathleen Ware, former associate superintendent of Cincinnati Public Schools, co-chaired, with the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers, the committee that designed Cincinnati's Teacher Evaluation System. She then directed the first two years of implementation of the system, working collaboratively with the CFT. After her retirement from Cincinnati Public Schools, she chaired the education department at the College of Mount Joseph before becoming president in 2006 of the Mayerson Academy for Human Resource Development, a Cincinnati non-profit specializing in professional development for teachers, principals and other educational personnel. Kathleen has also served as a high school English teacher, supervisor of secondary English teachers and director of secondary education.

Kathy Witherup played a key role in developing Cincinnati's TES and managed teacher evaluators during the first 2 years of implementation. In addition to managing school reform projects in the central office of Cincinnati Public Schools, Kathy has served as an elementary and secondary teacher and elementary assistant principal. She has served on Mayerson Academy's staff since 2002.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How does an audio conference/webinar work?
It's simple. A few minutes before the start of the webinar, you call a toll-free number in order to listen to the speaker and go to a website on your computer to view the Powerpoint. We will email you the toll-free number and all the access information as soon as you register. You will be able to ask the speaker questions online during the presentation.

How many people can listen in per registration?
As many people as can fit in a room. Webinars provide cost-effective opportunities for professional development. The registration fee covers one phone connection.

I'd like to attend the live event, but the time does not work for me and/or my colleagues. Is there a way I can listen at another time?
Yes! We will provide a link to the entire presentation the next morning that can be accessed at any computer. You and your colleagues can watch the presentation at a time that works for you.

My school district only pays by purchase order. Do you accept POs?
Yes. You may fax the PO to 815-461-5647 or call us at 207-632-1954.

Can I ship the CD-ROM to other district offices so that they can watch and listen at a later date?
An unlimited number of attendees may listen and view the live conference. Please limit use of the CD-ROM to staff in one office. Discounts are available for multiple orders.

CONTACT INFO:
Educational Research Newsletter
PO Box 2347
South Portland, ME 04116
Tel: 207-632-1954
Fax: 815-461-5647