The Professional Learning Focus for Educators Jaycie Smith

The Professional Learning Focus for Educators Jaycie Smith Executive Director of Teacher and Leadership Development

“The improvement of understanding is for two ends: first, our own increase of knowledge; secondly, to enable us to deliver that knowledge to others. ” -John Locke

House Bill 2957 (2016) “Every policy of professional development adopted by a school district board of education shall provide for the development of a focused and individualized program of professional development for the teacher or administrator that is consistent with the qualitative component of the TLE. ”

State-wide Implementation Timeline • 2017 -2018 school year: At least 25% of the certified staff at each school site incorporated the Professional Learning Focus as a new component of the TLE. • 2018 -2019 school year: Every certified staff member, except for the district superintendent, shall fully incorporate the Professional Learning Focus with the qualitative component of the TLE.

PL Focus Requirements from HB 2957 (2016) • Establish an annual professional growth goal for the teacher or administrator that is developed by the teacher or administrator in collaboration with the evaluator. • Be tailored to address a specific area or criteria identified through the qualitative component of the TLE. • Allow the teacher or administrator to actively engage with learning practices that are evidenced-based, researched practices that are correlated with increased student achievement. • Supported by resources from the school district and the state department.

PL Focus During the School Year • PL Focus should be introduced and explained at the beginning of the school year. • PL Focus should be established by the end of the first quarter of the school year. • One PL Focus checkpoint visit is mandated each school year. Two checkpoints would be considered best practice. • PL Focus documentation should be completed by the end of the school year and attached to the final evaluation.

Sample Timeline • August—Introduce the PL Focus during beginning of school year faculty meetings. • September—Use PLC or department meetings to discuss PL Focus • October—Educators submit/share their PL Focus on the designated document. • December-March—Utilize observation post-conferences to complete checkpoint(s). • April-May—Use PLC or department meetings to discuss progress and next steps. • May—Attach completed PL Focus document to final evaluation.

FAQ’s Answered about PL Focus • The PL Focus is an independent growth model developed by the educator in collaboration with his/her evaluator. • A PL Focus must be completed annually regardless of exemption status. • The PL Focus may be a multi-year learning opportunity. • The PL Focus may be changed during the year based on the needs of the educator. • There is no rating achieved or certain length of time required for the PL Focus.

Utilize What is Currently Available • Emphasize the people and programs available around you. • Reconsider your approach to professional development. • Remember that you are not alone.

PL Focus Documents • Districts select the PL Focus document that best suits their needs. One document should be used district-wide. • Three PL Focus documents are available for districts to select from on the OSDE-TLE webpage. • Districts may develop their own reporting document as long as the guidelines for the PL Focus have been met.

“Even the wisest mind has something yet to learn. ” -George Santayana

Contact Information Jaycie Smith Executive Director of Teacher and Leadership Development jaycie. smith@sde. ok. gov 405. 522. 0282