Master Teacher Program

1. Master Teacher Program Presenters: Ginny Elliott Winifred Nweke

2. The Law : Georgia Code 20-2-205 The Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) was authorized and directed to: Establish a Georgia Master Teacher Program to recognize teachers’ excellence in the classroom through student achievement and student progress

3. Minimum criteria include: - Evidence of student achievement and student progress - Being a current Georgia public school teacher - Minimum of 3 years of experience on Georgia Clear Renewable certificate The Law : Georgia Code 20-2-205

4. The GaPSC: Reviews each application and determines whether the applicant meets the criteria. Develops Master Teacher rules and regulations to govern the program. Develops the structure to support the certification and the recognition. The Law : Georgia Code 20-2-205

5. Why should systems support the Master Teacher Certification Program? The program: Identifies teachers who are having an impact on student achievement and progress as measured by the CRCT and other assessments Can lead to identifying & sharing best practices among teachers Recognizes teachers who have the potential to become leaders, mentors, & coaches for other teachers and thus, may contribute to teacher retention

6. “The immediate and clear implication is that more can be done to improve education by improving the effectiveness of teachers than by any other single factor.” ~ Wright, Horn & Sanders, 1997

7. Why should teachers want to become Master Teachers? Recognition for their impact on student achievement and progress Provision of feedback that may not be available from other sources Opportunities for professional growth through sharing, serving, and learning

8. Summary of the Application Process

9. Access the web site… www.gamasterteachers.org Click on the “About” tab for a summary of the Master Teacher program Carefully read the opening page information

10. Select the AppropriateGrade Level Option The grade level option selected will contain EVERYTHING needed: • Personal Information page • Supporting Documents • All directions, templates, and links needed to submit the rosters and/or explanation templates • Application Verification form • A list of documents to be submitted and the file name for each document as required in the grade level and/or subject area

11. Review of Application Select the appropriate grade level/subject area option and follow directions for applying and saving documents. After reviewing the application, the Principal signs the Application Verification form and submits the application files electronically to the Local System Coordinator (LSC).

12. Application Formats • Criterion-Referenced Competency Test (CRCT) Format: CRCT-Tested Grade Levels or Subject Areas (Grades 3-8) • Non-CRCT Format: Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grades, Grades 9-12, Writing, Art, Music, P.E., Business, Technology, EIP, ESOL, Special Education, Gifted, etc. NOTE: Co-teaching in special education may be CRCT format. Please call Master Teacher office if there are any questions. • Instructional Coach

13. Criterion-Referenced Competency Test (CRCT) Application

14. Student Achievement DataRequirements • The applicant submits two rosters of all students taught during the following school years: 2009-2010 and 2010-2011. (If applicant taught more than one grade level during either or both of these years, there will be more than one roster.) • The Local System Operator uploads the roster to the secure PSC portal using the original Excel spreadsheet provided – scanned rosters or other formats will not be accepted. • The Georgia Department of Education (DOE) accesses appropriate student achievement data from state assessment files. 

15. Evaluation of Student ProgressUsing State Data Because the CRCT does not provide vertically aligned scores from grade level to grade level, cohort’s scores each year are compared to the state mean scale scores, in standard scores, for the grade level and subject (Z2 and Z1). The student cohort’s mean scale score in year 2, in standard scores is then compared to the mean scale score in year 1 in standard scores: The question becomes: Is: Z2 >=Z1?

16. NOTE: If an applicant teaches multiple subjects or grade levels, data will be gathered and evaluated from all subjects submitted in the application. Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and 2nd Grade teachers submit data for both ELA and Math only, but follow the Non-CRCT application process. For middle school Language Arts teachers, data will be evaluated for both Language Arts and Reading.

17. The Decision Rule for Determining If Applicant Meets Student Achievement and Progress Criteria

18. Non-CRCT Application

19. - One full year of student data (2010-2011) - Learning gains based on comprehensive pre-assessment to post-assessment comparison - A focus on the alignment of assessments to clearly identified standards - Use of formative assessment results to modify instruction and improve student learning Non-CRCT Application

20. Required Information on Non-CRCT Roster Subject area AND grade level for the roster Roster Directions: List all students by entering a teacher-created student I.D. # (no actual student names) Enter the pre-assessment results, formative assessment scores, and the post-assessment results for each student

21. Provide ONE copy of the following documents for supporting evidence in each subject area submitted: A BLANK copy of the pre-assessment for EACH subject area submitted A SAMPLE of a formative assessment that was used with students A BLANK copy of the post-assessment in EACH subject area submitted NOTE: See grade level/teaching area categories for specific directions Assessments

22. Formative Assessments Start of course/term/year End of course/term/year Pre-assessment: Aligned with standards to be mastered Post-assessment: Aligned with standards Did they master the standards? Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4 Unit 5 Unit 6 #2 Formative Assessment #1 Formative Assessment #3 Formative Assessment Use information to adjust/change plans and deliver instruction

23. Formative Assessments How do you use the information from your on-going, formative assessments to modify or adapt teaching strategies, materials and approaches to improve student learning? “It’s not about giving the assessments; it’s about doing something about the results.” ~ Doug Reeves

24. Non-CRCTSpecialty Groups • Choose the appropriate level (elementary, • middle or high school) • Select appropriate grade level, delivery • model or setting: • Example: EIP Kindergarten/Augmented • Example: ESOL Grades 2-5/Core • Curricular • Example: Gifted Resource K-12 • Complete the required forms and templates

25. Decision Rule for Non-CRCT Applications • All non-CRCT applications are reviewed and evaluated by at least three members of a State Review Team. • State Review Team members are trained in the application process and requirements. • To become a Master Teacher, at least two members of the State Review Team must rate the application as having met the criteria.

26. What is the State Review Team evaluation of the Non-CRCT applications based on? • Evidence that the applicant monitors the progress of his/her students toward the standards-based learning goals to be achieved by every student by the end of the term. • Applicant’s intent and focus to provide every student the opportunity to achieve the standards for the curriculum that is assessed.

27. What is the State Review Team evaluation of the Non-CRCT applications based on ? • Data (pre/post-assessment scores, formative assessment scores) for each student in every class the applicant submits. • An explanation of what the data represent, what the data tells the applicant about his/her students, and how he/she uses the data to monitor the progress of the students toward a specified learning goal.

28. Instructional Coach Application

29. Instructional CoachApplication Two premises: Improving the professional practices of teachers can positively impact student achievement. Coaching is a professional learning strategy and its impact on student learning can be evaluated.

30. Instructional CoachRequirements Application requirements include: • analyzing student performance data to determine the desired professional practices of teachers needed to improve performance • coaching teachers to develop the targeted practices • monitoring improvement in the implementation of the professional practices • evaluating the impact of coaching on student learning

31. Decision Rule for Instructional Coach Applications • All Instructional Coach applications are reviewed and evaluated by at least three members of a State Review Team. • State Review Team members are trained in the application process and requirements. • To become a Master Teacher in the Instructional Coach category, at least two members of the State Review Team must rate the application as having met the criteria.

32. How does the State Review Team (SRT) evaluate the Instructional Coach applications? The SRT is looking for: • An analysis of student performance data to determine the professional practices necessary for improved learning • A coaching and support plan likely to improve these professional practices • Data showing the impact of the plan on the teacher performance of these practices • A linkage between the change in professional practices and an improvement in student learning

33. Information for All Master Teacher Applicants

34. Professional Responsibilities for All Master Teacher Applicants The Application Verification page that is signed by the Superintendent, the Principal, and two other reviewers (Local System Review Team) confirms that the applicant meets or exceeds the expectations for professional responsibilities based on the evaluation process established by the school and district. The Local System Review Team is vouching for the applicant as a viable candidate for the Master Teacher Certification program.

35. Evidence of Professional Responsibilities • The Local System Review Team should ask: “Is there evidence that the applicant consistently meets or exceeds the expectations for professional responsibilities based on the evaluation process used by the school and/or system?” • Evidence is not uploaded with the Master Teacher application; however it should be available at the local system, if required.

36. The Master Teacher designation on an educator’s Georgia certificate is valid for seven years and serves to renew that certificate as long as the Master Teacher certification is current.

37. Closing Remarks The Master Teacher Program recognizes Georgia’s public school teachers and is a collaborative effort by: Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) Georgia Department of Education (DOE) Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (OSA) Governor’s Office Legislature The Public Thank you for your interest and your comments!!!

38. Access Information Website: www.gamasterteachers.org Email: masterteachers@gapsc.com

39. Contact Information For questions and information: ginny.elliott@gapsc.com 404-232-2601 winifred.nweke@gapsc.com 404-232-2602 Thank you for your interest in the Master Teacher Program!