Review Agenda Item
Meeting Date: 1/27/2022 - 5:30 PM
Category: Report of the Committee on Accountability, Finance, and Personnel
Type: Action
Subject: 3. Action on a Request for Authorization to Seek Educator Effectiveness and Personnel Evaluation Waivers for the 2021-2022 School Year from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction as a Result of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Strategic Plan Compatibility Statement:
Goal 1
Academic Achievement
Goal 3
Effective and Efficient Operations
Policy: Admin Policy 6.01 - General Personnel Policies
Attachments
File Attachment:
Background: Milwaukee Public Schools uses the Educator Effectiveness (EE) System for professional growth and evaluation. The Educator Effectiveness System identifies specific criteria for best practices in teaching (teachers) and leadership of schools (principals and assistant principals).

The Wisconsin Legislature developed the 20 Wisconsin Education Standards found in Wisconsin Administrative Code sec. PI 8.01, which establish minimum expectations for each school district. Standard 17 requires each school district to evaluate all licensed school personnel in their “first year of employment and, at least, every third year thereafter.” Wis. Stat. § 115.415 requires the Wisconsin Educator Effectiveness (EE) System as the specific process by which all Wisconsin districts meet the requirements listed in PI 8 for principals and teachers.

During the 2019-2020 school year, the statewide alteration of school calendars as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic caused disruption to the Educator Effectiveness Cycle. Based on this, the district applied for and received a waiver of the Wisconsin Educator Effectiveness System for the 2019-2020 school year. The district again applied for and received a waiver of the Wisconsin Educator Effectiveness System for the 2020-2021 school year.

Due to the continued and unexpected impacts COVID-19 has had on staffing, the Administration is requesting that the Board authorize the Administration to seek Educator Effectiveness and Personnel Evaluation waivers from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for the 2021-2022 school year.

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) is offering districts flexibility during the COVID-19 pandemic as they continually seek new ways to best serve all students, improve student learning, and increase opportunities for the children they serve through a variety of options. As such, the DPI created the COVID-19 District Flexibility application.

The COVID-19 District Flexibility application provides districts the ability to apply for regulatory flexibility and waivers needed as a result of the impacts of the pandemic relative to K-12 education. The Administration is seeking the Board's authorization to seek waivers from the DPI for Educator Effectiveness and Personnel Evaluation for the 2021-2022 school year via submission of the COVID-19 District Flexibility Application.

The Administration recommends that the Board approve this request to seek an Educator Effectiveness waiver from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic for the 2021-2022 school year.
Fiscal Impact Statement: This item does not authorize expenditures.
Implementation and Assessment Plan Upon approval by the Board, the Administration will submit a request for an Educator Effectiveness waiver from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
Recommendation: Your Committee recommends approval of the request to seek Educator Effectiveness and Personnel Evaluation waivers for the 2021-22 School Year from the Department of Instruction.
Approvals:
Recommended By:
Signed By:
Jacqueline M. Mann, Ph.D. - Board Clerk/Chief Officer