First to the Top Update

Tennessee First to the Top: Where Are We Now?

This month marks the one year anniversary of Tennessee's Race to the Top win and of the dramatic set of school reforms planned for over the next four years. Tennessee was one of just two states selected on Mar. 29, 2010, to receive over $501 million for education in the first round of the federal government's Race to the Top competition. Since, Tennessee has hit the ground running on comprehensive improvements that will better prepare students for college and careers. Tennessee has embarked on a once in a lifetime opportunity and several projects.

At the heart of improving student achievement is a focus on three main student performance goals: young students' academic readiness, high school graduates' readiness for college and careers, and higher rates of graduates enrolling and succeeding in post-secondary education. Amongst these initiatives, Tennessee has a renewed focus on developing and improving great teachers and leaders in Tennessee classrooms. Tennessee's First to the Top plan has given the state unique resources and financial opportunities - placing renewed focus on the classroom teacher and a more dedicated focus on encouraging student achievement.

Through recently awarded funding such as the Innovation Acceleration Fund, Teacher Incentive Fund and Teacher and Principal Residency grants , Tennessee has the opportunity to strengthen the education profession as a whole-from students to teachers. These funding opportunities commit education reform to district level changes in compensation structures, increased teacher recruitment and retention efforts and sustainability beyond the span of First to the Top plans and grant periods.

Tennessee's focus is not just about funding, but providing all with the feedback and support they need to succeed. Department staff continue training with schools participating in the state field test of the observation rubric for a new teacher and principal evaluation system, and top education officials invited teachers to tell policymakers what they need to promote and improve their classrooms through the Teaching, Empowering, Leading and Learning (TELL) survey, conducted in February and continuing through March. Professional development opportunities are a major component through such partnerships as those formed with the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and Battelle Memorial Institute. These collaborations provide support for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) professional development for K-12 teachers, the College Access and Success Network, more effective teacher preparation programs, and enhanced stakeholder engagement and collaborations that bring together business and education to motivate teachers and students alike.

Success is the primary target and Tennessee is dedicated to improving struggling schools. The Achievement School District (ASD) staff continues plans for school implementation next year and utilization of successful strategies in schools with great academic need. Tennessee is challenging students, teachers, parents, administrators, and districts across the state to rise to the challenge of higher academic proficiency levels and benchmarks.

Three years ago, Tennessee's education system struggled with poor student outcomes and inadequate standards that did not properly prepare students for the demands of college or work after high school. Today, Tennessee is in position to achieve proficiency, and is committed to the leading the nation in developing education leaders.

This past year has been a unique year in education reform across the state. More accurately, the past year of education in Tennessee can be best described as unprecedented. As Tennessee transitions into a new administration under Governor Haslam, the state remains committed to upholding and pressing forward with key factors and goals of the First to the Top plan for the future of all students.

For more of Tennessee's year-one highlights, visit the Tennessee First to the Top website or receive regular updates by joining the mailing list. Follow Tennessee First to the Top on Twitter or Facebook for regular updates as well.

Teachers Respond to TELL Tennessee Survey

Halfway through the TELL Tennessee survey period, 45 percent of Tennessee's licensed educators and staff have shared their perspective on the teaching and learning conditions at their respective schools. This is an exemplary accomplishment in such a short period of time, but there are still two weeks left!

Participation in the survey is encouraged and Tennessee's State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) is providing $1000 to five schools each that reach a 90 percent participation rate or higher. Several schools have already exceeded these expectations to achieve a 100 percent response rate.

As part of Tennessee's First to the Top initiative, the TELL Tennessee Surveywill be administered in the spring of both 2011 and 2013. By documenting and analyzing how educators view critical teaching and learning conditions, this initiative focuses on providing each Tennessee school with its own data that can become a part of the on-going improvement planning processes in Tennessee's First to the Top program.

This is the first statewide opportunity for all educators in Tennessee to provide input about the allocation of your time, facilities and resources, student learning, community engagement, empowerment, school leadership, professional development, and mentoring.

The confidential survey will remain available online through March 11, 2011. The department encourages all licensed educators and staff to keep up the good work, and keep up with the real-time response rat online. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for response rate updates too!

Teacher and Principal Evaluation Webinars Prepare for Implementation

The Tennessee Department of Education has begun a series of educational webinars for superintendents, directors, principals, teachers, and education stakeholders to inform them about the new Teacher and Principal Evaluation system. The "boot camp" style presentations provide a comprehensive overview of the evaluation process going forward and an opportunity for participants to get answers to frequently asked questions.

Latest developments with the Teacher and Principal Evaluations:

Developing 35% Growth measures for Non-tested Subjects/Grades- Groups of 8 - 12 educators in each of the non-tested subject and grade groupings have gathered to discuss and make recommendations to the Tennessee Department of Education regarding appropriate growth measures and instruments for the 35% component of the new teacher evaluation system.
Determining 15% Other Achievement Measures- Teacher Evaluation Advisory Committee (TEAC) is recommending a menu of options for State Board approval from which teachers may choose, in cooperation with their administrator, for use in their evaluation.
Identifying 50% Qualitative Evaluation- The remaining 50% of the new evaluation system will be based on qualitative measures. This portion of the evaluation will include multiple sources: observations, surveys (for administrators), review of prior evaluations, and conferences. The 50% qualitative component must address planning, environment, professionalism, and instruction.
Undergoing Field Tests- The Teacher and Principal Evaluation Field Test will generate feedback from Tennessee educators that will inform the development and implementation of a statewide system of evaluation for teachers and principals. The Tennessee Department of Education is currently testing the TAP observation instrument for teachers and a modified version of the Tennessee Instructional Leadership Standards (TILS) rubric for Principals

Pending final approval, the new Teacher and Principal Evaluation system will go into effect during the 2011-12 school year. View the Teacher and principal Evaluation webinar presentation online. For other First to the Top resources, click here.