I am interested in #1 and #2.

Thanks.

-Lisa Mills

Hi,

Please, sign me up for the Policy discussion area team.

Thank you!

Sheila Akinleye

Dear Catherine:

Please add me to the Policy Group (#4). Thank you, Kesi Stribling

Please add me to items #1 and #4.

In the discussion about teacher evaluation systems I don't recognize a consensus on what exactly is being evaluated.

Are teachers to be evaluated based on student performance/achievement? What relationship do those measures have with economic growth and opportunity? Is the role of the teacher to train or to nurture? Are classrooms preparing yesterday's workforce or tomorrow's? What responsibility do schools have in the creation and/or maintenance of social demographics?

The answers to these questions not only frame the context of education but the teachers employed within it, as well as the implementation of relevant evaluation systems.

Please sign me up for #1.

JoAnn McKenna

Thanks to everyone who has been able to sign up for Discussion Areas! We are hoping the rest of you will be able to do so by the end of the week. Our team at Hope Street Group has busily been calling/e-mailing all the volunteers to check in and answer any questions you may have. The biggest confusion seems to be around the process and what happens next. So, I'm going to clarify that.

The project is broken down into four discussion areas that are derived from the research about teacher evaluation. Policy volunteers will be divided into four teams that correspond to the discussion areas. There will be one Team Leader and possible co-leaders for each discussion area. Each Team Leader will guide the team over the next 7 weeks to come up with recommendations for essential elements of teacher evaluation systems as they relate to your discussion area. Those recommendations will be compiled into a report that will be released on October 26 in Washington, DC at the National Press Club moderated by Andy Rotherham. There will be a terrific line up of panelists there to support and give context to the report. We are also hoping that Team Leaders and volunteers will be able to be there (if your schedule permits). Immediately after the report is released, we will be arranging meetings with our staff, Team Leaders and the offices of members of Congress to talk about the implementation of the recommendations. The ultimate goal is to have 10 states sign on to the elements. So, as you can see we have great big hopes for your work and believe very strongly in the effort.

This is all by way of saying that we need you to sign up for discussion teams so you all can get going on your work. There are great discussions to be had and a tremendous wealth of knowledge to be shared so, let us know if we can answer any questions that will help you make your decision. And don't forget, if you are interested in being a Team Leader send me a brief statement about your interest and your resume. Though being Team Leader carries more responsibility, you are also given the opportunity to be more visible and directly involved in the policy process.

We are still waiting on some team leader decisions but in the meantime, we have assigned you to a team. So, drum roll please....here are the teams:

Measures:

1. Dina Rock
2. Raquel Sanchez
3. Rachel Meisel Ratcliffe
4. JoAnn McKenna
5. Connie Rath

Implementation:

Team Leader - Lisa Mills

1. Laura Gutmann
2. Rachel Meisel Ratcliffe
3. JoLisa Hoover

Outcomes:

1. Raquel Sanchez
2. Nicora Placa
3. Doug Clark
4. Julie Shively
5. Robin Stevenson

Policy:

1. David Markus
2. Ross Freshwater
3. John Pallasch
4. Shelia Akinleye
5. Kesi Stribling
6. Eric Nunnally

As always, we are here to answer ANY questions you have. Please just let us know. Thanks again for volunteering to be part of this effort!

I'll contribute wherever I am needed most -- #2?  If it makes any difference as to where I'm useful, I'm a first-year teacher.