Update on Standards of Quality Focus Group Meetings
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Update on Standards of Quality Focus Group Meetings and Other Public Engagement Activities June 19, 2019 Emily V. Webb Director of Board Relations
Focus Group Meetings and Other Engagement Events • Virginia Public Education Coalition Monthly Meeting – April 9, 2019 and June 10, 2019 • VASS Conference – May 7, 2019 • Smyth County (Region 7) – May 9, 2019 • Prince Edward County (Region 8) – May 14, 2019 • Prince William County (Region 4) – May 21, 2019 • York County (Region 2) – May 29, 2019 • Education Partners (Richmond) – June 6, 2019 2
Invited Stakeholders • • Virginia Association of School Superintendents Virginia School Board Association Virginia Education Association Virginia PTA Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals Virginia Counselors Association Virginia Professional Educators • • Virginia School Nurses Association Virginia Academy of School Psychologists Virginia Association of School Social Workers Virginia Association of School Curriculum Development Virginia Association of Counties Virginia Municipal League Virginia Association of Colleges of Teacher Education 3
Education Partners • • • Virginia Chamber of Commerce Virginia NAACP Virginia Hispanic Chamber Virginia Business Council Virginia Asian Chamber Virginia ACLU • • • Virginia Association of Realtors First Cities Coalition Virginia Restaurant, Lodging and Travel Association Just Children Voice’s for Virginia’s Children 4
Commons Themes • Move the At-Risk Add-On into the SOQ for local flexibility in staffing positions based on school/division needs • Concerns about fairness of teacher compensation adjustment and the impact on collegial relationships within the school and division • Importance of including compensation adjustment, mentoring and professional development for principals • Need for additional compensation to compete against neighboring states and industries – potentially set a minimum salary requirement 5
Common Themes (continued 1) • Look at other incentive programs for teacher attraction and retention – such as loan forgiveness and VRS • Work environment/conditions are as important as salary to attract and retain teachers • Support from individual associations for separate ratios for specialized support staff and specific qualifications for school health staff • Concerns about the roles of each specialized support position and the ability for small/rural divisions to attract and retain individuals with specific qualifications 6
Common Themes (continued 2) • One Size Does Not Fit All - Importance of local division and school flexibility • Concerns about local match requirements • Need for time built into the day for mentors/mentees to meet and collaborate • Remove evaluation requirement from teacher leader proposal 7
Questions/Discussion “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. ” 8
