Washoe Country School District
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Peer Assistance And Review (PAR)
Overview of the PAR Program
PAR is a program developed in joint with the Washoe Education Association (WEA) and the Washoe County School District to provide intense instructional support to first year probationary teachers and to underperforming post-probationary teachers. PAR is comprised of two main components: The Consulting Teacher (CT) and the Panel.
Origin
PAR is a program that is successfully utilized in several school districts across the country. The program started in Toledo, Ohio in 1981. In WCSD the PAR initiative is a product of our district strategic plan Envision WCSD 2015 and is funded through the Teacher Incentive Grant 3. It is an integral component of our newly implemented Professional Growth System.
Participants
The following categories of teachers are eligible to participate in the PAR process:
- Post-probationary teachers who have received an “ineffective” formal evaluation will be in the PAR program and placed on a Focused Assistance Plan (FAP); or
- Post-probationary teachers who have received a “minimally effective” formal evaluation could be considered for placement on a FAP and referred into the PAR program at the discretion of the supervising principal; or
- Post-probationary teachers who receive a “minimally effective” formal evaluation for a second consecutive year, who are not already in PAR, will be in the PAR program and placed on a FAP; or
- First year probationary teachers, who are new to the teaching profession, will be included in the PAR program.
Process
For underperforming post-probationary teachers, once the teacher is identified as needing assistance through the PAR program, a FAP is developed and a CT is assigned to begin working with the teacher on improving identified instructional practices. Four times per year, once at the beginning of the school year and then once following each of the three formal evaluation periods, the Panel will convene to hear reports from the CT and supervising principal on the progress of the teacher. From these reports the Panel will develop recommendations on how to further support the teacher, CT, and supervising principal. All first year probationary teachers, who are new to the teaching profession, will be included in the PAR program. These teachers will be assigned a CT and their cases will only be heard by the Panel if their formal evaluation is rated as "ineffective".
CT Role
Duties of the CT entail, but are not limited to, the following:
- Reviews the most recent formal evaluation and solicits additional information as appropriate;
- Meets with the principal and the teacher for initial case review;
- Collaborates with principal and teacher to design FAP;
- Meets regularly with teacher;
- Meets monthly with principal to discuss progress of teacher;
- Plans and implements an intensive program of intervention and/or support, which includes completing a minimum of two peer observations with pre and post conferences per semester, ongoing communication with the teacher and principal, analysis of student data, demonstrated lessons, etc.;
- Accompanies teacher during observations of model classrooms;
- Provides quarterly review reports and a final summative report at the end of the support period to the principal, teacher, Area Superintendent, and the CT administrator, as well as to the Panel based upon the teacher performance standards; and
- Makes a recommendation to the Panel as to whether the teacher is meeting standard or not based on evidence collected.
Panel Role
Duties of the Panel entail, but are not limited to, the following:
- Reviews all cases referred to the Panel as a result of the formal evaluation process;
- Hears preliminary review reports on new referrals from principals;
- Meets with CTs and principals quarterly to review reports/evaluations and receive updates on teachers in PAR;
- Advises CTs regarding supports to teachers;
- Recommends possible adjustments to FAP based on evidence heard from CT and principal;
- Reviews concerns of participating teachers, CTs, or principals regarding the PAR program;
- Makes one of the following recommendations to the Superintendent based on CT reports, the principal’s formal evaluation, and other supporting data;
o Successful completion of the PAR program and return to a formal cycle of evaluation;
o An additional year of PAR assistance; or
o Return to probationary status or non-renewal of contract
Resources:
Handbook
Frequently Asked Questions
PAR Process Overview
PAR Teacher Referral Form
PAR Teacher Information Sheet
PAR Teacher Video (.mp4)
Process Maps
* First Year Probationary Teacher
* Post-Probationary Ineffective Teacher
* Post-Probationary Minimally Effective Teacher Year One
* Post-Probationary Minimally Effective Teacher Year Two
Contacts:
PAR Coordinator
Mike Paul: 775-348-0223
mpaul@washoeschools.net
PAR Assistant
Maryrose Staffa: 775-348-0251
mstaffa@washoeschools.net
