Vol. 3, No. 1 Spring 2010 Pittsburgh leads U.S. Empowering Effective Teachers plan a national model BY PAUL HALLORAN and Melinda Gates Foundation to support Foundation. When it comes to transforming the Empowering Effective Teachers in “The national wave is coming and we education, Pittsburgh is at the head of the the Pittsburgh Public Schools plan . are leading it,” said Superintendent Mark class. This plan builds upon the core elements Roosevelt. “Federal competitive dollars are Pittsburgh Public Schools, in the District had already put in place as part not going to be available for districts that collaboration with the Pittsburgh of its Excellence for All initiative to don’t get on board. Funding will be tied Federation of Teachers, has ensured the improve student achievement. Pittsburgh’s into districts’ ability to implement this type District’s status as a national leader by was one of only four nationwide to be of plan, and we are blessed to have been obtaining a $40 million grant from the Bill selected for funding by the Gates See EET Page 6 PPS teachers gather at professional development event. Pittsburgh Public Schools is getting parents prepared to register their kids for early education, such as this class Early start at Pittsburgh Beechwood led by PreK teacher Jane Niapaver. Pages 10-11. 2 —The Pittburgh Educator Spring 2010 Excellence for All Investing in teacher effectiveness is our focus “We will focus our These initiatives combined with additional students to highly effective teachers; and 3) that recognize critical junctures in a student’s ongoing district reform strengths such as our collaborative, trust-based ensure all teachers work in learning pathway to Promise Readiness. One example of efforts on our vision for relationship with the Pittsburgh Federation of environments that support their ability to be these new roles is the Promise-Readiness teacher effectiveness: Teachers, incredible support from our highly effective. Corps. This group of highly effective teachers Pittsburgh’s teachers will be stakeholders, and the successful launch and Building teacher effectiveness requires better will follow students for two years—from 9th to empowered as effective growth of The Pittsburgh Promise®, have understanding of how teachers already in our 10th grade—and receive rewards and leaders to do whatever it helped prepare us to take the next steps toward classrooms are performing, and offering the recognition linked to student outcomes. takes to foster a culture of improving the life prospects of the children we support each one needs for ongoing Our third strategic priority is to ensure that striving, resilience, and are privileged to serve. professional growth. District staff, with critical all teachers work in learning environments that Mark Roosevelt college-readiness so that What’s next? The answers are found in The support from the PFT, have co-constructed the support their ability to be highly effective. over 80 percent of all Plan for Empowering Effective Teachers in Research-based Inclusive System of Evaluation Recognizing that student self-discipline and students complete a post-secondary degree or Pittsburgh Public Schools. All Pittsburgh (RISE) that defines effective teaching and positive work habits are necessary for post- workforce certification.” educators can be immensely proud that our plan specifies an evaluation and support process. secondary success, we will set and reinforce Strategic Vision - The Plan for Empowering was one of only four in the nation to be This will expand our ability to tailor high standards for student behavior and career Effective Teachers in the Pittsburgh Public selected for funding by the Bill & Melinda professional development programs to the aspirations and identify and provide the Schools Gates Foundation. In fact, in these tight needs of individual teachers. Current teachers systemwide supports necessary to establish and economic times, the Foundation is investing also will benefit from opportunities offered maintain a strong learning environment in Investing in Teacher Effectiveness is Latest $40 million in Pittsburgh’s schools and through the new PPS/PFT Promise Academies. every classroom. Focus of PPS Plan teachers. The Strategic Vision noted above To ensure successful ongoing recruitment of We will continue to focus on the critical role Over the past four years, our District has guided the development of our Plan, and it will effective teachers, Teach for Pittsburgh will effective teachers play in the growth of their improved student achievement by putting into continue to guide our District’s support the selection and preparation of the students and the initiatives we’re developing to practice a series of strategies outlined in our improvementefforts. very best teaching candidates. This new ensure that effective teaching happens in every Excellence for All reform agenda. We have With the PFT’s help, we are hard at work on initiative infuses our beliefs about the skills and classroom, every day, across our District. We introduced a rigorous new core curriculum; the challenges that come with such an qualities of effective teachers into our hiring are excited about the ongoing evolution of redesigned professional development to expand ambitious vision. We believe that investing in practices. Newly hired teachers will greatly Pathways to the Promise™ in ensuring that and strengthen opportunities for our employees’ our teachers will give us a unique opportunity benefit from a 13-month residency-based students stay on course toward academic continued learning and growth; improved to become the first urban school system in the induction before “going solo” in the classroom excellence and attainment of The Pittsburgh school leadership through a comprehensive country to prepare the vast majority of our for the first time. And the awarding of tenure Promise®. As such, each story in this issue of accountability system for principals; and students for the successful completion of will become a significant milestone in a The Pittsburgh Educator is a reflection of our created new schools such as the Science and college or workforce certification. teacher’s career by representing proven commitment to achieving our vision of Technology Academy 6- 12, Pittsburgh Our Plan identifies three strategic priorities: effectiveness. Excellence for All. Milliones University Preparatory 6-12 School, 1) increase the number of highly effective Teachers who are recognized as highly and eight Accelerated Learning Academies. teachers; 2) increase the exposure of high-need effective will be offered new, high-impact roles Mark Roosevelt is Superintendent of Schools. THE BOARD Pittsburgh Public Schools Board of Directors Theresa Colaizzi President Thomas Sumpter First Vice President William Isler Second Vice President Dr. Dara Ware Allen Mark Brentley Sr. Jean Fink Sherry Hazuda Floyd McCrea Randall Taylor Published by: Pittsburgh Public Schools Mark Roosevelt Superintendent Submit story ideas to: Lynne Turnquist Public Communications Manager Above, Board Members and Districts front row, from left: Board First Vice Pittsburgh Public Schools President Thomas Sumpter (District 3),Board President Theresa Colaizzi 341 S. Bellefield Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (District 5), Board Second Vice President William Isler (District 4), 412-622-3620 Superintendent Mark Roosevelt; back row, from left: Sherry Hazuda (District [email protected] 6), Jean Fink (District 7), Dr. Dara Ware Allen (District 2); Mark Brentley Sr. www.pps.k12.pa.us (District 8); Sharene Shealey (District1), and Floyd McCrea (District 9). On December 8, newly-elected Board Member Sharene Shealey (District 1), top Produced by: GRANT COMMUNICATIONS right photo, joined re-elected Board Members, from top to bottom,Theresa CONSULTING GROUP Colaizzi (District 5), Jean Fink (District 7), Floyd McCrea (District 9) and Boston X New York Thomas Sumpter (District 3) in taking the Oath of Office, administered by 781-598-8200 [email protected] Judge Michael McCarthy, at the annual Board Organization Meeting. Following www.grantgroup.com the ceremony, the Board elected officers for the 2010 fiscal year.Theresa Colaizzi was re-elected President.Thomas Sumpter was re-elected First-Vice President and William Isler was re-elected Second-Vice President. Excellence for All The Pittsburgh Educator Spring 2010 —3 Pittsburgh Schaeffer honored all members of the Board with “Whale Done” Awards for School Director Recognition Month. Shown in the photo, from left, Floyd McCrea, District 9, and ?;Theresa Colaizzi, District 5, and ?; Dara Ware Allen, District 2, and ?; and Thomas Sumpter, District 3, and ?. Sherry Hazuda, District 6, was interviewed by Pittsburgh Mark Brentley, District 8, enjoyed a performance by the Pittsburgh Linden K-5 welcomed new Board Member Sharene Brookline K-8 students ? and ? for a story in the school Pittsburgh Allegheny K-5 Chorus during School Director Shealey at their Family Meeting during School Director newspaper about School Director Recognition. Recognition Month. Recognition Month. School Director Recognition Month Pittsburgh City Council recognized the Board of Directors of the School District of Pittsburgh for their service to students and families of the School District in honor of School Director Recognition Month. Each year, the Pennsylvania School Boards Association designates January as School Director Recognition Month to honor board members across the Commonwealth for their willingness to serve as advocates