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Before You Evaluate Culturally Responsive Teaching, Lay the Foundation

Culturally responsive teaching (CRT) practices have gained traction over the past decade as educators strive to understand the increasingly diverse backgrounds and needs of their students. Now, amid ongoing unrest over racial injustice in the United States, CRT is even more in the spotlight. As part of the progress toward cultivating anti-racist systems, some have

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New Integrated Learning Organizer Helps Track Professional Learning

Several years ago, the Network for Educator Effectiveness integrated the EdHub Library into the NEE Data Tool. We were thrilled to offer our members direct access to the library with no need to log into a separate site or enter subscription tokens. At that time, there was no immediate replacement for the learning journal. Although

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Holding Your First Feedback Conversations of the School Year

The smell of a freshly waxed gym, the crisp look of new bulletin boards, the supply closet brimming with new stock. These are all typical signs that a new school year is here, even if this year back-to-school looks more like new virtual backgrounds on teacher computer screens and phones ringing relentlessly with technology questions.

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Classroom Observation Essentials: 6 Key Recommendations

As September begins, and so do classroom observations, we want to take the time to remind you of six key recommendations about the classroom observation process. If you will be starting the school year online or in a hybrid format, please download our guide “Adaptability and Growth: Evaluating Effective Teaching in Remote Learning Environments” for

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Communities of Practice Offer Space for School Leaders to Share Ideas this Fall

As a school leader, you are likely feeling a heavy weight on your shoulders as school gets under way this fall. We want to help. NEE will offer two virtual “Communities of Practice” this fall to provide space for school leaders to share ideas and get support from one another. Remote Learning Leadership Community of

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PBL is the Perfect Fit for Remote Learning

Using problem-based learning in a remote learning environment helps keep students engaged with their work. PBL is made for these extraordinary times. Starting with a Question of Import, or essential question, allows students to choose among multiple ways of answering the inquiry. It is a rewarding practice that your students will enjoy. In PBL, students

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Conversations Set Expectations for a Growth-Oriented School Year

Last week, we provided back-to-school resources and materials that will be helpful as you start another year as a school leader in the Network for Educator Effectiveness. In this blog, we provide additional reminders about important conversations to have early this school year to make this a growth-oriented year for you, your faculty, and your

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Back to School Resources for Administrators, Teachers, and Mentors

School bells are ringing once again.  This year, normal back to school planning combines with new planning and new stresses for 2020-21.   NEE is here to help with your planning and to provide quick ways for you to get the school year off to a great start.   This article offers different components of NEE and EdHub that may be beneficial as you plan for the first few weeks

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Welcome Chuck Mayes to the NEE Team

Welcome Chuck Mayes to the Network for Educator Effectiveness team! NEE’s newest team member is a former educator for the Sikeston R-6 School District in Sikeston, Mo. He retired this summer after 30 years in K-12 public education, where he has served as a teacher, elementary principal, middle school principal, and for the last eight

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Evaluating Remote Teaching: Recommendations and Resources Now Available

Teacher evaluation is one of the many challenges school leaders are facing in their continued response to COVID-19. How should school leaders evaluate teaching in an uncertain environment, and what does effective teaching look like in remote learning settings? To answer these questions, the Network for Educator Effectiveness (NEE) is providing recommendations, resources, and templates

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Achievement, Motivation, and Engagement Improve When Students Set Their Own Goals: Here’s How to Do It

Research suggests when students set their own academic goals they experience greater achievement and motivation.  My personal classroom experience supports this assertion that students who are engaged in setting and meeting their own learning goals are highly motivated to work.  Students who participate in goal setting learn how a growth mindset leads to higher achievement. 

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Power Standards Provide Focus for Teachers and Help Students Succeed

As an educational consultant now for the past five years, I have worked with school districts to help teachers give their best to their students. One of those strategies is to develop a list of power standards for their grade level and content areas. Power standards, sometimes called priority or essential standards, are the standards

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Evaluating Remote Teaching: What NEE Is Doing to Support Educators

This post was written before NEE released our educator evaluation resources and recommendations for remote settings. Please visit the Evaluating Remote Teaching page to access the resources that are referenced in this post. As many schools look to continue forms of remote learning this fall in response to COVID-19, the Network for Educator Effectiveness is

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Teaching By Design: How We Might Move From What Is to What Could Be

On Friday, May 1, the Network for Educator Effectiveness hosted a webinar presented by Dr. Leigh Neier titled “Teach by design: Rethinking default settings to achieve student-centered classroom culture.” Dr. Neier is an associate professor in the Department of Learning, Teaching and Curriculum at the University of Missouri College of Education. In the session, Dr.

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Addressing Teacher Evaluation Appropriately: How NEE Accounts for Growth and Complexity in Teaching Effectiveness

Last week, APA Division 15 published a new practice brief, Addressing Teacher Evaluation Appropriately. The brief makes two main recommendations for teacher evaluations: Practices should prioritize teachers’ professional growth and development Practices should recognize the context and complexity of teaching In this blog post, we’ll share the connections between the authors’ recommendations for teacher evaluation

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Teaching English Language Learners and Working With Immigrant Families From Home (Secondary Focus)

On April 30, the Network for Educator Effectiveness partnered with Strengthening Equity and Effectiveness for Teachers of English Learners (www.SEE-TEL.org) to host the second of two webinars titled Teaching English Learners and Working with Immigrant Families from Home: Education in the Time of COVID-19. The webinar was geared toward secondary educators; a previous webinar Wednesday

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Teaching English Language Learners and Working With Immigrant Families From Home (Elementary Focus)

On April 29, the Network for Educator Effectiveness partnered with Strengthening Equity and Effectiveness for Teachers of English Learners (www.SEE-TEL.org) to host the first of two webinars titled Teaching English Learners and Working with Immigrant Families from Home: Education in the Time of COVID-19. The webinar was geared toward elementary educators; a second webinar Thursday

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A Conversation on Remote Learning Resources and Support

On April 1, the Network for Educator Effectiveness facilitated an online discussion on providing remote learning resources and support as educators rapidly shift to distance learning models amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Panelists for the session were: Christie Terry, Educational Specialist with eMINTS National Center Kathryn Fishman-Weaver, Director of Mizzou Academy Lynsie Hunt, Assistant Principal at

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A Conversation on Supporting Special Education Students in a Remote Learning Environment

On March 27, the Network for Educator Effectiveness facilitated an online discussion with 300 participants to discuss supporting special education students in this unique remote learning environment caused by COVID-19. Panelists for the session were: Bev Luetkemeyer, Director of Special Education Compliance at the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Dana Welch, Assistant Director

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DESE Update and Q&A with Assistant Commissioner Chris Neale

On March 25, the Network for Educator Effectiveness facilitated an online discussion with Dr. Chris Neale, the Assistant Commissioner for Quality Schools at the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. More than 100 participants joined the session to hear updates and ask questions. The following is a summary of the questions and discussion. A

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A Conversation on Supporting ELL Students in a Remote Environment

On March 25, the Network for Educator Effectiveness facilitated an online discussion with more than 120 participants to discuss supporting ELL students in a remote learning. Panelists for the session were: Shawn Cockrum, Director of Migrant, English Learner, Immigrant & Refugee Education, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Gena Villegas, Supervisor of ESOL Services,

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Continue the Teacher Summative Process During COVID-19

In the current atmosphere, finishing some of the processes that are a part of the regular school year seems inconsequential or unnecessary. Yet completing processes provides a sense of normalcy and creates fewer headaches to worry about when schools reopen. One of the most important processes this time of year is the summative evaluation of

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Reflecting on ‘Deschooling’ and Adjusting to Our New Structure

Kids are now on their own. This is what each of us as educators strive for – for our students to be able to learn on their own, to be self-directed, and to grow based on their time with us. And yet, this situation is very difficult. There will be a period of adjustment. This

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Leading Whole Faculty or Small Group Online Professional Development

Student learning is not the only learning that has suffered from the sudden change to remote learning because of COVID-19. We have all had to do some intense professional learning these past couple of weeks. As we move forward over the next weeks or months, you may need to consider options for providing professional learning

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With Remote Learning, Communication is the Key – For Everyone

Long-distance relationships are hard! And one of the biggest hurdles is communication. It’s difficult to be sure the tone, the importance, and the information all hit the perfect note. And now, as a school leader, you are faced with multitudes of long-distance relationships with those in your care: parents, students, faculty and staff. As many

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Student Engagement in Remote Learning Environments

As a veteran of facilitating online training sessions (some successfully and others not so much), I can tell you firsthand that student engagement is a HUGE component of online teaching. And all three engagement categories are important: behavioral, affective, and cognitive.  Let me talk through some steps that can generate engagement in online learning. Behavioral

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Educator Evaluation and COVID-19: A Focus on Coaching and Support

This truly is an unusual time for all of us as we cope with the spread of COVID-19 and the impacts to schools. As school leaders face difficult and pressing decisions, the Network for Educator Effectiveness is committed to offering our support and resources. Please visit our blog page devoted to COVID-19 support and resources

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Guidance for Completing Teacher Summative Reports in the NEE Data Tool

It’s summative season! Now is the time of year when many evaluators are preparing and completing teacher summative reports. In this blog, we’ll guide you through the process of completing a summative report in the NEE Data Tool. We have also incorporated how-to videos for visual learners. Recommended NEE Summative Process The following is a

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Video Observations Can Benefit Evaluation Processes

More and more schools are incorporating video into the classroom observation process – and for good reason. There is plenty of evidence to suggest video can benefit evaluation processes and feedback. Videos can be a valuable tool for self-reflection, peer mentorship, and even administrator review and feedback. Harvard’s Best Foot Forward Project found that teachers

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The Importance of Reviewing Your Classroom Observation Data

It’s important to periodically review your NEE classroom observation data to measure progress toward meeting your building and district goals and make adjustments based on the data. NEE recommends that each teacher be observed six to ten times over the course of the year for 10-15 minutes each time. Some districts require at least one

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Fueling Mid-Year Momentum: Keep Up Your Teacher Evaluation Goals

The beginning of the semester is a good time to check on your goals and reignite momentum toward your school initiatives. So, we want to know: How are you doing with your NEE teacher evaluation goals and how can we support you? In this blog, we offer encouragement and strategies to keep up the momentum

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A Multiple-Measures Approach to Teacher Evaluation Provides Administrators with Robust, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Research shows the single largest school-based factor affecting student achievement is the quality of teaching. Therefore, it’s important to have high-quality evaluation processes in place to measure the effectiveness of educators in your building. Measuring educator effectiveness can take several forms. The best approach is to utilize multiple measures in order to triangulate data and

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Four Things to Remember about Classroom Observations

Throughout my time working with the Network for Educator Effectiveness, I have had many conversations with teachers and administrators about classroom observations. Some of these have been in offices, some in classrooms, some over dinner with friends. A lot of these conversations have been about dispelling myths and helping teachers and administrators unlearn past classroom

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NEE Data Tool How-Tos, Common Questions and Solutions

If you’re managing NEE for your district, you often perform routine maintenance in the NEE Data Tool to keep your building and district data up-to-date. In this blog, we show you how to accomplish several of the tasks that NEE data managers are often in charge of. We’ll include common questions that arise, why issues

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Four NEE Data Tool Features to Help You Get the Most out of Your Evaluation Data

Compiling teacher evaluation data in an online teacher evaluation system saves administrators time and eliminates stress. If you’re still tracking evaluation data by hand or fumbling through a home-grown system that isn’t providing you with meaningful data, it’s time to consider an option that will make your job so much easier by eliminating the busywork

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Prescriptive Modules Now Available in EdHub

You’ve been asking for it, and we’re creating it! Principals often ask how they can assign EdHub modules to their teachers. Today, EdHub is one step closer to making your wish come true. We are working on a set of activities designed specifically for teachers based on their classroom observation scores. Here’s everything you need

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Best Practices for Writing and Implementing Teacher Performance Improvement Plans

When teachers repeatedly get less-than-effective ratings, it is time to implement a performance improvement plan, or PIP. In fact, 33 states – including Missouri and Nebraska – require teacher performance improvement plans or performance assistance plans for teachers rated below effective. Although you might dread the exercise of creating a teacher performance improvement plan, remember

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Mission Possible: Strategies to Help You Accomplish Your Big Instructional Leadership Goals

“How can I possibly accomplish it all?” Have you found yourself asking that question in relation to your NEE implementation goals or your broader instructional leadership goals? Instructional leadership is the principal’s most important job, yet it’s also the most difficult. We get it. School administrators are wearing more and more hats, and day-to-day tasks

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Effective Evaluation Supports New Teachers and Helps Keep Them in the Profession

With a third of the nation’s beginning teachers leaving the profession during their first three years, it is more critical than ever to provide the support needed to keep teachers in the field. In Missouri, according to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, 42% leave within the same three-year time frame.  Administrators and mentors

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Dyslexia Legislation Update for Schools in Missouri and Nebraska

Starting in the 2018-19 school year, Missouri and Nebraska laws required public schools and charter schools to take new action on dyslexia. In each state, laws put an emphasis on screening and resources to help schools provide support to students. Because the Network for Educator Effectiveness supports schools in Missouri and Nebraska, we wrote this

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Data Helps School Administrators Lead Instructional Change Efforts

Educator evaluation is about much more than a score, and it goes far beyond the classroom walls. Effective evaluation means principals are accurately evaluating teachers, providing effective feedback, and implementing instructional change to support student learning. The Network for Educator Effectiveness aims to help principals become more accurate evaluators through our annual, recurring trainings. We’ve

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Why Training Matters to Improve Classroom Observation

It’s summer. The grass is green, the pools are open, and our five Network for Educator Effectiveness trainers rack up the miles on the road for training. For educators, summer is a time for renewal and a time for growth. From our beginnings, NEE has looked at our summer training sessions through that lens: renewal

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Teacher Professional Development: 3 Activity Ideas for School Leaders

The beginning of a teacher professional development day or faculty meeting sets the tone for the learning to take place and the climate for the day. Get your time together off to a good start with a quick activity to get conversations and learning started. Here are three quick activity ideas for the beginning of

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Effective School Leadership in Every Building: How School Leadership Development Drives Positive Changes in the Classroom

The children in our classrooms deserve no less than our best effort to provide them with the highest quality of instruction every single day. Our best effort requires educators to routinely sharpen their skills, and that’s why it’s important that teachers and administrators alike participate regularly in professional development and leadership development training and activities.

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Building Trust in Teacher Evaluations and the Confidence to Do Them Right

I still remember my first teacher evaluation experience late in the fall of my inaugural year. Although I was a young teacher, I was confident in my instructional abilities and wanted to make a good impression on the principal who had hired me. Looking back now, I can say my confidence was unwarranted, but it

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Saying No to ‘Cut Scores’ and Derogatory Labels in Teacher Evaluation

In the January 2019 District Trendline by the National Center on Teacher Quality, the focus concerned the language that was connected with teacher evaluation rubrics. In a quick report, NCTQ looked at the language of the evaluation rubrics used by 123 large school districts across the United States. Their findings suggest that teacher evaluation ratings

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The 3 Golden Rules and 5-Step Guide to Giving Effective Feedback

Effective feedback is essential for supporting and developing quality teaching, yet it’s not easy. The March 2019 issue of Educational Leadership framed addressing a teacher’s performance concerns as The Instructional Leader’s Most Difficult Job. Performance conversations are rarely considered enjoyable, but for school administrators, these conversations are especially crucial. Research shows the single greatest school-based