District-wide API Scores ( MVLA Annual Growth Scores )
tenure to only about 75 percent of eligible teachers . Some teachers opted to leave for a variety of reasons in addition to not being granted tenure . If these rigorous standards were not implemented , about 50 percent of the certificated staff over the course of a decade would be filled by those teachers who were not granted tenure . These high standards ensure that every MVLA student has a quality teacher every period of every day .
MVLA adopted high expectations for all employees and clear rubrics for judging performance . The district ensures there is consistent , ongoing training for all administrators in implementation of the teacher evaluation system . Data is then used to provide feedback to evaluators to inform training efforts . Although rigorous , the process was supported by the teaching staff .
Three MVLA probationary teachers offered comments on what they experienced before being granted tenure :
• “ This district takes professionalism seriously and clearly communicates its expectations to its teachers and empowers them to improve .”
• “ Expectations are high . Faculty likes to support each other to excel . Student needs come first .”
• “ This is a highly professional district that values its teachers , cares about students and expects the best from both .”
Professor Bridges outlined the six elements of an effective teacher evaluation system as implemented by MVLA to establish “ excellence in teaching ” as a high priority :
• Adopt and publish reasonable researchbased criteria for quality instruction .
• Adopt sound procedures that are uniformly applied .
• Provide support to the new and struggling teachers .
• Ensure that the appraisers have the requisite skills .
• Provide appraisers with the resources they need to be successful .
• Hold appraisers accountable for the evaluation of their non-permanent teachers .
Establish teaching excellence
900
850
800
750
700
650
600
550
500
824
District-wide API Scores ( MVLA Annual Growth Scores )
541
845
623
858 860
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
In raising student achievement , one of the most impactful efforts at Los Altos High School was a belief that only high performing teachers should receive tenure . Another core belief is that everyone in the system must maintain the same high standards for teachers , including school board , superintendent , district office officials , site administration and department chairs .
The school board conducts a detailed review of every candidate in closed session before they will recommend the granting of tenure . The most important job of a school is to ensure the best possible teachers are working with kids every day . The graph of MVLA Latino / Caucasian performance shows the significant improvement of academic achievement over time , measured by the state ’ s Academic Performance Index .
Adopt reasonable criteria
The teacher evaluation system employed in MVLA includes multiple sources of information for administrators to use when making the final employment decision .
The key reference materials are the California Standards for the Teaching Profession that are district-adopted for use in the teacher evaluation process . These standards have been vetted through an extensive process at the state level .
601
MVLA Caucasian Students MVLA Latino Students
611
864
630
874 889
649
672
895 899
699
Apply procedures uniformly
To determine if new teachers meet the CSTP , Los Altos High School uses multiple measures , including administrator observation , student surveys , assessment data , grade distribution information , exhibits of curriculum and lesson plans .
The school annually administers student surveys with their teachers new to the district before granting tenure . These surveys have played an important part in the evaluation process for decades , and MVLA has extensive data used for comparison purposes .
Although administrator observation is a key part of the evaluation , it is but one part of the overall process . MVLA reviews a variety of performance data and curriculum exhibits as part of the decision to grant tenure .
Support new teachers
906 909
MVLA has a strong new teacher induction program that supports new teachers and is specifically not part of the teacher assessment program . This support comes from new teacher coaches , department coordinators , and outside help if necessary .
The coaches meet regularly with the new
718 727
731
Data Source : API Comparative Reports
January | February 2017 33