CTESS ebook

Introduction

Effective Teaching Matters What a teacher does - or does not do - in the classroom has a substantial impact on student achievement (Hattie, 2009; Slavin, Cheung, Groff, & Lake, 2008; Slavin, Lake, & Groff, 2009). In fact, instructional delivery is one of the most important variables that bring about academic excellence in students. Teaching based on strong instructional practices is powerful and Canyons District is dedicated to helping every teacher improve her or his pedagogical skills.

How Teaching Improves Providing teachers with explicit feedback improves instructional practices and leads to better student outcomes. Improving instruction through performance feedback is a highly researched, evidence-based practice with which to assist teachers in implementing effective teaching practices (e.g., Burns, Peters, & Noell 2008; Jones, Wickstrom, & Friman, 1997; Noell, Gresham, & Gansel, 2002; Noell et al., 2000; Noell et al., 2005; Wickstrom, Jones, LaFleur, & Witt, 1998). Teachers deserve accurate and actionable feedback. In order to be most effective, performance feedback should focus on the proven components that research, especially meta-analyses, indicate have the biggest impact on achievement. The Canyons Teacher Effectiveness Support System, commonly referred to as CTESS, aims to provide actionable feedback on evidence-based strategies that are most likely to positively impact student achievement and the supports teachers need to implement them. The Purpose of CTESS CTESS is designed to ensure that every student in Canyons School District receives high-quality instruction every day, prioritize professional growth and support for all educators, improve feedback to educators about effective instruction, measure implementation of Canyons District’s Multi -Tiered Systems of Support framework, increase collaboration through professional learning communities, and recognize and support effective teachers. How CTESS Standards were Developed Initial development began when an updated version of the Utah Effective Teaching Standards was adopted by the Utah State Board of Education in 2012. These standards were then aligned with the CSD MTSS Framework, which brings together the components, beliefs, and critical elements of effective schools. The framework includes key elements of instructional practice, data use, and effective decision-making processes. The CTESS standards are designed specifically to measure implementation of the CSD framework. Along with the CTESS development team, many groups have contributed to the development of CTESS. They include the CSD Joint Educator Evaluation Committee, which is made up of parents, teachers, and administrators; District Leadership Teams; administrators representing elementary, middle, and high school levels; teachers from elementary, middle and high schools; the Canyons Education Association; and the Canyons Board of Education.

CTESS Elements There are three elements of CTESS: • Instructional Quality • Student Growth • Stakeholder Input

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