Online Calibration Tool: Focus Element Descriptors I-A-2: Child & Adolescent Development Unsatisfactory Needs Improvement Proficient Exemplary Demonstrates little or no knowledge of developmental levels of students this age or differences in how students learn. Typically develops one learning experience for all students that does not enable most students to meet the intended outcomes. Demonstrates knowledge of developmental levels of students this age but does not identify developmental levels and ways of learning among the students in the class and/or develops learning experiences that enable some, but not all, students to move toward meeting intended outcomes. Demonstrates knowledge of the developmental levels of students in the classroom and the different ways these students learn by providing differentiated learning experiences that enable all students to progress toward meeting intended outcomes. Demonstrates expert knowledge of the developmental levels of the teacher’s own students and students in this grade or subject more generally and uses this knowledge to differentiate and expand learning experiences that enable all students to make significant progress toward meeting stated outcomes. Is able to model this element. I-A-4: Well-Structured Lessons Unsatisfactory Needs Improvement Proficient Exemplary Develops lessons with inappropriate student engagement strategies, pacing, sequence, activities, materials, resources, and/or grouping for the intended outcome or for the students in the class. Develops lessons with only some elements of appropriate student engagement strategies, pacing, sequence, activities, materials, resources, and grouping. Develops well-structured lessons with challenging, measurable objectives and appropriate student engagement strategies, pacing, sequence, activities, materials, resources, technologies, and grouping. Develops well-structured and highly engaging lessons with challenging, measurable objectives and appropriate student engagement strategies, pacing, sequence, activities, materials, resources, technologies, and grouping to attend to every student’s needs. Is able to model this element. I-B-1: Variety of Assessment Methods Unsatisfactory Needs Improvement Proficient Exemplary Administers only the assessments required by the school and/or measures only point-in-time student achievement. May administer some informal and/or formal assessments to measure student learning but rarely measures student progress toward achieving state/local standards. Designs and administers a variety of informal and formal methods and assessments, including common interim assessments, to measure each student’s learning, growth, and progress toward achieving state/local standards. Uses an integrated, comprehensive system of informal and formal assessments, including common interim assessments, to measure student learning, growth, and progress toward achieving state/local standards. Is able to model this element.
I-B-2: Adjustments to Practice Unsatisfactory Needs Improvement Proficient Exemplary Makes few adjustments to practice based on formal and informal assessments. May organize and analyze some assessment results but only occasionally adjusts practice or modifies future instruction based on the findings. Organizes and analyzes results from a variety of assessments to determine progress toward intended outcomes and uses these findings to adjust practice and identify and/or implement appropriate differentiated interventions and enhancements for students. Organizes and analyzes results from a comprehensive system of assessments to determine progress toward intended outcomes and frequently uses these findings to adjust practice and identify and/or implement appropriate differentiated interventions and enhancements for individuals and groups of students and appropriate modifications of lessons and units. Is able to model this element. II-A-3: Meeting Diverse Needs Unsatisfactory Needs Improvement Proficient Exemplary Uses limited and/or inappropriate practices to accommodate differences. May use some appropriate practices to accommodate differences, but fails to address an adequate range of differences. Uses appropriate practices, including tiered instruction and scaffolds, to accommodate differences in learning styles, needs, interests, and levels of readiness, including those of students with disabilities and English learners. Uses a varied repertoire of practices to create structured opportunities for each student to meet or exceed state standards/local curriculum and behavioral expectations. Is able to model this element. II-B-1: Safe Learning Environment Unsatisfactory Needs Improvement Proficient Exemplary Maintains a physical environment that is unsafe or does not support student learning. Uses inappropriate or ineffective rituals, routines, and/or responses to reinforce positive behavior or respond to behaviors that interfere with students’ learning. May create and maintain a safe physical environment but inconsistently maintains rituals, routines, and responses needed to prevent and/or stop behaviors that interfere with all students’ learning. Uses rituals, routines, and appropriate responses that create and maintain a safe physical and intellectual environment where students take academic risks and most behaviors that interfere with learning are prevented. Uses rituals, routines, and proactive responses that create and maintain a safe physical and intellectual environment where students take academic risks and play an active role—individually and collectively—in preventing behaviors that interfere with learning. Is able to model this element.
II-D-2: High Expectations Unsatisfactory Needs Improvement Proficient Exemplary Gives up on some students or communicates that some cannot master challenging material. May tell students that the subject or assignment is challenging and that they need to work hard but does little to counteract student misconceptions about innate ability. Effectively models and reinforces ways that students can master challenging material through effective effort, rather than having to depend on innate ability. Effectively models and reinforces ways that students can consistently master challenging material through effective effort. Successfully challenges students’ misconceptions about innate ability. Is able to model this element. II-D-3: Access to Knowledge Unsatisfactory Needs Improvement Proficient Exemplary Rarely adapts instruction, materials, and assessments to make challenging material accessible to all students. Occasionally adapts instruction, materials, and assessments to make challenging material accessible to all students. Consistently adapts instruction, materials, and assessments to make challenging material accessible to all students, including English learners and students with disabilities. Individually and with colleagues, consistently adapts instruction, materials, and assessments to make challenging material accessible to all students, including English learners and students with disabilities. Is able to model this element.