DCSD's Licensed Evaluation Focus Group

With the continued refinement of the DCSD Evaluation System, the work of the CITE, LEAD and SSP Focus Groups has evolved. In order to serve the district more efficiently and effectively, the three focus groups have been merged into the newly named Licensed Evaluation Focus Group. The purpose of the Licensed Evaluation Focus Group continues to be to provide a voice for all staff who engage with the CITE and LEAD Rubrics either as an evaluator or an evaluatee.

While one focus group is available for general membership and open to any district employee, there will continue to be opportunities for specialized teams of employees to work rubric revision and development. Any

Rubrics are monitored for effectiveness via district evaluation data and annual licensed evaluation surveys. The first survey was administered in October of 2019 and was used to make decisions for system wide improvement and for rubric creation and revision. Beginning the 23-24 school year, an annual survey is administered via the DCSD Digital Evaluation System. Data from this annual survey will be analyzed by the Licensed Evaluation Focus Group and used to respond to the needs of the district.

CITE, LEAD and SSP Focus Group History

The CITE Focus Group was introduced during the 2015-16 school year as an opportunity for licensed professionals from all levels, licensed and administration, to work together to improve the efficacy of the evaluation rubrics used to measure educator growth. Membership in the focus group was, and remains, voluntary. Several members have been part of the group from its inception, and over the years new members have been added.

The LEAD Focus Group was introduced during the 2017-18 school year as an opportunity for licensed administrators from all levels to work together to improve the efficacy of the evaluation rubrics used to measure leader growth. Membership in the focus group is voluntary.

The SSP Focus Group was introduced during the 2020-21 school year as an opportunity for Specialized Service Providers to work together to improve the efficacy of the evaluation rubrics used to measure SSP growth. Membership in the focus group is voluntary. The opportunity to serve is open to all licensed employees and invitations are extended through Principal Notes.

Colorado Revised Statues, 2018

Evaluation Council

As part of the 2018 Colorado Revised Statutes 22-9-107, all districts must maintain an evaluation council. The purpose of the council is to ensure that evaluation systems are fair, effective, credible and professional, as well as to provide continuous evaluation of unique evaluation systems. There are several options for how this council can be formed and how it operates. DCSD uses a Licensed Evaluation Focus Group (educators from all levels, including principals, APs and Deans) and the District Accountability Committee (made up of teacher, principal, district, parent and community representatives).

The Licensed Evaluation Focus Group's main purpose is to support the creation and revision of CITE and LEAD rubrics. The focus group reports to the DAC and keeps them apprised of any potential changes or additions with respect to rubrics. Based on information from the Licensed Evaluation Focus Group, the DAC provides feedback and is the final step in providing a recommendation that the Board of Education approves the rubrics for use the following school year. The Board of Education has the final say in whether or not a rubric is approved for use in the system.

Report abuse