“Step” n2 M-STAR!
Strategic Tools for
Educator Preparation
 This training was designed to support the
training effort of all Mississippi educators to
learn the M-STAR process.
 M-STAR is a tool for you to use as a road
map to success in your classroom.
 Today, learn the basics of this process and
prepare to use it for your professional
growth.
 More training is coming your way, and we
are excited to bring it to you.
Objectives of This Training
 To introduce the Mississippi Statewide Teacher
Appraisal Rubric (M-STAR) to Mississippi
teachers
 To help teachers acquire knowledge and
understanding of M-STAR
 To increase teacher effectiveness
 To promote higher levels of achievement for
all students
The research and data
are clear!
“Teacher quality is the single
most important variable
impacting student
achievement.”
(Rivkin, Hanushek & Kain, 2005; Rockoff, 2004)
What do teachers want to know?
Why an appraisal
system now?
 Under previous systems of evaluating teachers’ work, the
scores teachers have received have become separated from
the key output – student learning.
 Teachers have received considerably higher ratings than test
results suggest should be the case.
 Meaningful evaluations start with a well-designed system.
But ultimately the system’s success depends on strong
implementation with good communication at its core.
What have your previous
evaluations been like?
Were they
 Consistent throughout your school and
district?
 Completed each semester?
 Informative to you?
 Helpful in your professional growth?
 Grounded in best practices and research?
Most Important Reason for
Effective Appraisals
 Student Achievement
• U.S. ranks 17th in industrialized nations in education
• In Mississippi, almost 50% of children in 3rd-8th grade are
below grade level in language arts and math.
• Low graduation rates!
• Students not equipped with 21st-century skills!
 Whose job is it to improve these outcomes?
All Mississippi educators!
Federal and State Theory of Action
Improved
Evaluation
System
Improved
Educator
Quality
Improved
Student
Outcomes
How is M-STAR different?
Traditional Observations
Evidence-Based
Observations
• Single time point for
classroom observation
• Multiple time points for
classroom observation
• Use of “checklist” tools
(strengths/weakness,
yes/no)
• Use of rubric that defines
instructional improvement
on a continuum
• High performance ratings
given to almost all teachers
• Variations in performance
ratings among teachers
• Does not include student
outcomes
• Links teacher effectiveness to
student performance
MS Teacher Evaluation
Percentage Breakdown
20%
M-STAR
30%
50%
Student
Growth
Classroom
Observation:
M-STAR
Professional
Growth Goals
M-Star Timeline
2011-2012
Pilot implemented with 20 schools in
Mississippi
January – July 2012
Focus group review and feedback
July 2012 – July 2013
Statewide training on use of the
system
2013-2014
Field test the M-STAR process
2014-2015
Full implementation
More Questions from Teachers
Is my pay going to decrease?
Do I have to do this?
What is in it for me?
Observation Cycle
Review lesson plan,
understand context,
+ ask clarifying
questions
Key Questions: What
are students learning?
What is the evidence for
this learning?
Pre-Obs.
Conf.
Within 1-2 days prior
to obs
Obs.
Post-Obs.
Conference
Follow-up
Walkthrough
Within 1 week after
ob.
Within 2 weeks after
post-obs. conference
Effective, concrete
feedback + next
steps are key!
Observe feedback
in action
Five Components of the Teacher
Observation Cycle
1. Teacher self-assessment
2. Professional Growth Goals (PGG) and Student
Learning Objectives (SLO)
- MDE will have additional training in the future on these items.
3. Walk-through visits
4. Formal observations and conferences
5. Student surveys (optional)
M-STAR Ratings
A teacher’s performance on each standard will be appraised in
accordance with a four-level rating scale:
 Level 4 Distinguished: Indicates that the teacher’s performance
consistently exceeds expectations – exemplary; cream of the
crop!
 Level 3 Effective: Indicates that the teacher’s performance meets
expectations. Learning is evident!
 Level 2 Emerging: Indicates that the teacher’s performance
inconsistently meets expectations. PD is needed as teacher
continues to learn more about the science of teaching and
learning.
 Level 1 Unsatisfactory: Indicates that the teacher’s performance
does not meet expectations. An immediate plan of improvement
should be designed by the administrator and teacher.
Example: Summative
Observation Rating
Domain
I: Planning
Domain
Score
Weight Weighted
Rating
2.75
x
.20
.55
II: Assessment
4
x
.20
.80
III: Instruction
2.5
x
.20
.50
IV: Learning Environment
3.5
x .20
.70
V: Professional Responsibilities
2.5
x .20
.50
Summative Classroom Observation Rating
(2.75 + 4 + 2.5 + 3.5 + 2.5) = 3.05
5
3.05
17
What does the rubric mean?
The M-STAR rubric can be
difficult to understand. What
can I do to simplify it?
It is important to
fully understand
the rubric!
M-STAR Rubric Overview
 Five domains (weighted equally)
1.
Planning (4 standards)
2.
Assessment (2 standards)
3.
Instruction (5 standards)
4.
Learning Environment (5 standards)
5.
Professional Responsibilities (4 standards)
 20 standards (placed among the 5 domains)
A Closer Look
Look at your copy of the
M-STAR appraisal rubric.
 Find Domains
 Locate Standards
 Identify the Indicators
 Examine Domains III and IV
What do best practices look like?
 Don’t get lost in what the
standards are saying. . .
 Instead, focus on what
behaviors will be seen when
an effective teacher and
his/her students are observed.
Standard
8
Actively engages students
in the learning process
Teachers will be:
• Using a variety of teaching
strategies and resources
• Teaching appropriate for skill
levels and different learning
styles
• Linking content with student
interests
• Probing and incorporating
students’ questions
• As a facilitator, he/she is able to
grasp and hold students’
attention.
• Using a wide range of learning
skills and technology to enhance
learning
• Within close proximity to students
• Exhibiting excitement and interest
in lesson and students
• Leading a student-centered
classroom
 Can you think of other evidence
of engaging students in
learning?
Standard
8
Actively engages students
in the learning process
Students will be:
• Asking and answering questions
• Their questions reflect applicable understanding of content
• Responding to formative assessments
• Using technology to access, interpret, and apply information
• Demonstrating interest in lesson/activity
• Learning on their level; engaged
 What else will they be doing if they are truly engaged?
What are artifacts?
 Real working documents
that provide evidence of the
standards
 Administrators will talk with
you further about what
artifacts are important
 Artifacts are not “portfolios”
or decorated boxes that are
time consuming to
organize!!
Are we reaching our students?
What is a
21stcentury
educator?
M-STAR Key Points
 Student-centered vs. teacher-centered
 Rubric is not a checklist but used to evaluate
where a “preponderance of evidence” points on
the rating scale.
 Conversations and FACE-TO-FACE feedback are key
pieces in improving teacher practice.
 Stay focused on clear communication, which is
transparent and professional.
Will it be some work?
Yes. . . but you
work hard
everyday.
Develop Your M-STAR Cruise Plan
Any Questions?
Exit Slips
For More Information
Contact:
[email protected]
MDE Quality Professionals and
Special Schools
601.359.3631
For More Information
Check out the RCU website:
www.rcu.msstate.edu
Under the MDE tab, go to the M-STAR
tab and find great reference items put
there for you.
Contact Information
Lois Kappler, M-STAR Coach
[email protected]
662.325.3764 (w)
662.546.0066 (c)
Call or text – leave a message with your information
and your call will be returned.