Utilizing Tripod Surveys to Drive Improvement

Shelby County Schools

Goals Deepen educator understanding of the Tripod survey purpose

and structure. Facilitate analysis of school and teacher-level Tripod results. Highlight strategies for continuous improvement.

Tripod Facts

Surveys are observational.

Based on more than a decade of research.

Assesses teacher performance in relation to 7 constructs.

National and local results are reliable measures of effective teaching and predictive of student growth.

Provides a different lens into instructional practices than classroom observations and supports multiple measures.

Survey Differentiated by Developmental Stages

Grades K-2• Fewer Questions• Fewer Choices• Should be read to

students

Grades 3-5• Shorter than the

Secondary Version• Uses More Simplistic

Language

Grades 6-12• Designed for older

students• Includes more

items

Care

Control

Clarify

Challenge

Captivate

Confer

Consolidate

Examples of Tripod Constructs

My teacher in this class makes me feel like she really cares about me.

Our class stays busy and doesn’t waste time.

My teacher has several good ways to explain each topic that we cover in class.

In this class, we learn to correct our mistakes.

My teacher makes lessons interesting.

My teacher gives us time to explain our ideas.

My teacher takes the time to summarize what we learn each day.

Items and Favorability Ratings Favorability Ratings are provided for each item.

Based on percent of students responding favorably to each item. Neutral responses do not count toward ratings. Blank responses do not count against the teacher.

Some items are reverse coded. The negative response is actually the favorable one. Example: This class does not keep my attention; I get bored.

• Although ‘no’ is a negative response typically, it is actually the favorable response here. As a result, the answer ‘no’ is what counts toward the favorability percentage for this item.

The vendor then switches students’ responses to count toward favorability.

Calculation of Tripod Levels using NCEs

The ratings for Tripod are calculated based on the comparison of all teachers in each SCS survey level.

For example: Ms. Jones is a 2nd grade teacher. Her students completed the SCS Early Elementary survey. Ms. Jones scored higher than 68% of her peers. Her overall

NCE (Normal Curve Equivalent) is 68. Ms. Jones’ Tripod level is a 4, based on the Tripod quintile

ratings (1-5).

District Level ReportEarly Elementary % Agreement Secondary Middle % Agreement

Care 89% Clarify 68%

Control 69% Care 59%

Elementary % Agreement Secondary High % Agreement

Care/Clarify 85% Challenge 67%

Control 56% Confer 48%

Crosswalk Tripod, TEM 3.0 and CCSS

TRIPOD

• Captivate

TEM 3.0

• TEACH 1• TEACH 2• TEACH 3• TEACH 7• CLE 1• CLE 3• CLE 4

CCSS

• MATH 4• MATH 5• ELA 4• ELA 5• ELA 6

Crosswalk Tripod, TEM 3.0 and Strategies

TRIPOD

• Captivate

TEM 3.0

• TEACH 1• TEACH 2• TEACH 3• TEACH 7• CLE 1• CLE 3• CLE 4

Strategies

• Begin with the End

• 4 M’s• Name the

Steps• At Bats• Call and

Response• Simple to

Complex• Brighten the

Lines

Next Steps• School-wide Support: P.A.R. Consulting Teacher or P.I.T.

Crew available by appointment through your administrator

• Individual Support: No-Nonsense Nurturer course in My Learning Plan