Calibration Solution Launched to Ensure Observation Accuracy

Oct. 5, 2012 - PRLog -- Teacher, principal and K-12 staff evaluations are a critical component of helping educators to better develop their classroom, teaching and leadership skills.  One measure of evaluation is often the observation of a teacher in the classroom, and today that observation has become “high-stakes” with more focus on ensuring scoring accuracy.  Truenorthlogic’s online Performance Management software solution combined with Teaching Learning Solutions’ inter-rater reliability and training tools create an all-inclusive observer calibration system.  Los Angeles Unified School District and New York State Education Department, among others, are currently using this innovative observer calibration solution to support their educator effectiveness initiatives.

Research shows that one of the requirements for high-quality classroom observations is that the observers demonstrate accuracy before rating teacher practice (MET Gathering Feedback for Teaching. Kane, Thomas. 2012.).  The Observer Calibration solution effectively trains, scores and calibrates observers who conduct teacher, principal and staff observations/evaluations resulting in consistent and precise outcomes.  Factual, defensible evidence is collected, removing observer subjectivity.  All observers are trained and certified in accurately interpreting the evaluation framework and rubrics.  Observer Calibration ensures effective teaching, leading and learning are taking place in the classroom.  

“Our entire solution is K-12 focused and has been driven by our educational client base.  The Truenorthlogic and Teaching Learning Solutions partnership has elevated our comprehensive observation and evaluation offering, responding to our clients’ requests,” said Jeanette Haren, President and CEO of Truenorthlogic.

“Working with Truenorthlogic has allowed us to co-create an electronic solution for districts that allows for in depth observer training, actual classroom observations, and professional development to ensure continued calibration of observers. This leads to greater inter-rater reliability and agreement among observers, and in turn helps districts know where to focus professional development for observers and teachers. We are committed to customizing our work to meet the needs of the client as is Truenorthlogic, resulting in personalized offerings as opposed to a one-size-fits-all approach,” said Bernadette Cleland and Albert (Duffy) Miller, Co-owners of Teaching Learning Solutions.

ABOUT TRUENORTHLOGIC
Truenorthlogic is the leading provider of K-12 Education Human Capital Management solutions that solve complicated educator quality issues.  Our award-winning solutions help education agencies link human resource management with sustainable, scalable strategies to ensure an effective educator for every student, including teacher preparation and induction support, licensure and certification tracking, career planning tools, professional development management and system support for differentiated learning and incentive pay models. With more than one million licensed users, Truenorthlogic has a proven track record helping organizations achieve educational workforce excellence.  www.truenorthlogic.com  

ABOUT TEACHING LEARNING SOLUTIONS
Teaching Learning Solutions works collaboratively with schools to customize professional development that will increase a school’s or district’s capacity for sustained improvement in teaching and learning.  Services include design and development of teacher evaluation models; establishing inter-rater reliability among school evaluators; accreditation support; and, professional development and coaching.  www.teachinglearningsolutions.com