Lessons Learned on Val Ed Performance Evaluation Advisory Council

Dr. Erika HuntCenter for the Study of Education Policy

My Background

• Director of Illinois State Action for Education Leadership Initiative (IL-SAELP)–http://www.centereducationpolicy.ilstu.edu

• Funded by The Wallace Foundation since 2001

Background of Val Ed

• Developed by a 3-year grant from The Wallace Foundation ($1.5 million)

• Validation grant by Institute of Education Sciences ($1.5 million)

• Primary resources/attention by IL-SAELP to Val Ed = Development of Principal Evaluation IAI

Use of Val Ed for Principal Prep Study

• To compare skills/behaviors of new principals coming out of old Type 75 programs to new principals coming out of new Principal Endorsement programs

• Goal -- To recruit a sample of 100 – New principals who completed a Type 75 program

within last five years– Out of 193 potential participants, were able to

recruit 21• 21 participants – 2 backed out• 6 participants could not meet teacher feedback

threshold of 50%

Why Val Ed?• Measures principals’ effectiveness using 360º

feedback from teachers, supervisors, and principal• Is the only 360º principal evaluation tool aligned

with new 2008 ISLLC standards• Field tested in a nationally representative sample• Best measurement of leadership attributes and

behaviors associated with student achievement results

• Rated highest in terms of validity and reliability

What Is Val Ed?

Val Ed Conceptual Model

Val Ed Framework

Sample VAL-ED Form

VAL-ED Performance Level Descriptors

Below Basic Basic Proficient Distinguished

Leadership behaviors of core components and key processes of insufficient quality that over time are unlikely to bring the school to produce acceptable value added to student achievement and social learning.

Leadership behaviors of core components and key processes of a quality that over time are likely to bring the school to produce acceptable value-added to student achievement and social learning for some sub groups of students but not all.

Leadership behaviors of core components and key processes of sufficient quality that over time are likely to bring the school to produce acceptable value-added to student achievement and social learning for all students.

Leadership behaviors of core components and key processes at levels of excellence that over time are virtually certain to bring the school to a point that produces strong value-added to student achievement and social learning for all students.

Feedback for Professional Growth

Val Ed Process

• District or school commits– Provide number of teachers and name of supervisor– Provide name of person in building to distribute

survey codes (e.g., union building rep)• Discovery Education generates codes– Codes include access codes for principal and

supervisor• Survey is distributed and completed by teachers,

principal and supervisor– Teacher Institute Day/Not as Thorough– Time on Own/Partially Completed or Low Response

Best Uses of Val Ed

• “The VAL-ED is best used as part of a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of a leader's behaviors” – Joe Murphy and Ellen Goldring

• VAL-ED can be used annually or more frequently to:– Facilitate a data-based performance evaluation– Measure performance growth– Guide professional development

• VAL-ED is best tied to a plan for continuous improvement

Val Ed = Continuous Improvement1) Principal evaluation Illinois Administrator Academy2) Principal support/coaching• SAMs initiative and Time Change Coaching• New Principal Mentoring (esp. two-year programs)

3) Aligned with other data tools• LPPW tool • School Conditions surveys (www.TellIllinois.org)

4) Aligned district framework• Charlotte Danielson Framework

5) Plan for district-wide prof. dev./communities of practice

Lessons Learned• Takes a district/school commitment and

understanding– Appoint district coordinator • Educate teachers and principals about Val Ed• Assure completion thresholds are met • Coordinate into plan for professional growth

– Need teacher buy-in to make meaningful– Need to carefully time distribution of survey

• Utilize mechanisms to monitor response rate• Tie Val Ed assessment into a continuous

improvement process

Val Ed Resources

Val Ed Site - http://peabody.vanderbilt.edu/x8451.xml• User Manual• Conceptual Framework and Research Basis

Discovery Education - http://www.discoveryeducation.com/products/assessment/val_ed.cfm