01/30/12 Beginning in the 2012-2013 school year, Indiana school administrators will be required to provide meaningful feedback to their teachers on their job performances. Part of a teacher’s effectiveness will be based on student performance and growth.

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) is providing a model evaluation tool along with resources to support any tools and practices developed at a local level.

Although the Union-North United School Board had previously approved an evaluation rubric designed, in part , by the former superintendent, Dr. Terry Barker, the Board heard a new opinion on Thursday night from the current superintendent, Mitchell Mawhorter. Mawhorter was named superintendent on January 2.

Mawhorter told the board that he would like for the school principals to attend training sessions on the RISE evaluation tool that was created by Indiana educators. It took over two years to develop the tool.

Mawhorter said there are still discussions being carried on between administrators and the teacher’s union concerning which evaluation system to use, but wants principals to attend formal training.

Mawhorter said the IDOE has already approved the RISE tool and he believes they would look favorably on a corporation using that tool.

According to the IDOE, the system moves educators to a place where they can have meaningful conversations about student learning. The IDOE said, “This evidence is captured through observations of teaching practices and the use and analysis of student learning measure.”

RISE includes sections on Purposeful Planning, Effective Instruction, and Core Professionalism. The rubric breaks down the evaluation into highly effective, effective, improvement necessary, and ineffective.

In other matters, the Board approved the school calendar for the 2012-2013 school year.  August 13 is listed as an orientation day and August 14 as the first day of classes.

Although no details were discussed, the Board approved by a vote of 5-0 to finalize an agreement between the Office of Civil Rights and Union-North United School Corporation.

Carol Anders Correspondent