State Education Commissioner John B. King, Jr announced Wednesday that he has approved teacher and principal Annual Professional Performance Review evaluation plans for 10 school districts.
The approved plans, which include those of Binghamton and Syracuse, are posted on his website to be used as models for other districts. The commissioner provided feedback to more than 100 districts regarding their proposed plans.
The website contains a lists of districts with submitted evaluation plans. Bemus Point, Cattaraugus-Little Valley, Chautauqua Lake, Clymer, Falconer, Frewsburg, Jamestown, Panama, Randolph, Salamanca, Sherman and Southwestern have all submitted their APPR plans for review. However, their plans have not yet been approved.
Jamestown was not one of the 100 districts who received feedback.
"Because it took us some time to complete the required negotiations and to finalize the details, Jamestown was not able to submit our plan in early July, as did the districts who have received feedback," said Jessie Joy, director of curriculum for Jamestown public schools.
Commissioner King said he expects more plans to be approved in the coming weeks, which he will then post to his website. In addition to working directly with districts and BOCES to identify and correct issues in plan submissions, the state education department has developed and provided extensive APPR information and guidance on EngageNY.org.
"I'm cautiously optimistic about the development, submission, review and approval of the remaining APPR plans," said King. "The model plans approved today come from districts and teacher and principal unions that rolled up their sleeves and got the job done. There is a lot of work ahead but these plans will help generate positive momentum for other districts to send us approvable APPR plans."
Joy does not expect to hear back from the state office regarding Jamestown's plan any time in the immediate future, as the state has indicated that the review process will take some time.
"It appears that [the state is] scrutinizing every detail of the plans submitted, which is an indication of their high expectation for schools to demonstrate a high level of commitment to ensuring that all pieces are in place for an effective teacher and principal evaluation system," she said. "I do not expect to hear anything for at least eight weeks, unfortunately."
However, districts must have their fully approved APPR plans by January 17, 2013 in order to receive their 2012-13 state financial aid increase.
"We will proceed with implementation of our APPR beginning this September 1, as is required," said Joy. "If our plan is not approved as submitted, we will review the feedback and make the adjustments requested."
A list of the districts with submitted plans can be found at: usny.nysed.gov/rttt/teachers-leaders/plans/home.html, along with the 10 approved plans, which will continue to be updated as more plans are approved.