Palm software helps WV school administrators complete teacher evaluations

(March 4, 2004) School administrators in West Virginia now have new options for completing teacher observations and evaluations as required by the State.

Principals and Vice-Principals can use a Palm handheld or a laptop computer with mVal™ software from Media-X Systems, to observe and evaluate teachers. The software was customized for the specific needs of West Virginia by Media-X, working closely with the West Virginia Department of Education and the EdVenture Group of Morgantown, WV.

“Using mVal on a Palm handheld allows a Principal to focus on conducting a quality teacher observation and not on the technology,” said Donna Peduto, Director of K-12 Initiatives at The EdVenture Group who worked with Media-X in customizing the software for the state.

All notes and checklists recorded on the Palm are easily transferred to a user’s desktop. They can then be used to print a variety of reports, including the official observation and evaluation forms required in West Virginia.

The mVal software is flexible and can be utilized with or without a Palm handheld on laptop or desktop computers according to Steve Moretti, President/CEO of Media-X. A web version of mVal is also available with all of the required WV forms and evaluation criteria.

“I’m really impressed with it,” said Tom Deadrick, Assistant Superintendent with Marion County Schools in West Virginia. “I think this is something any administrator with a Palm will find very useful. It is a great tool to assist with the teacher observation process and to be able to record notes when you see them.”

As part of the partnership with Media-X, The EdVenture Group is providing training on using mVal and Palm handhelds. Training sessions began this year with the official release of the software after initial testing was completed in the Fall of 2003.

Vicki Allen of the West Virginia Department of Education is pleased with the options that are now available for school administrators in the State. "This software helps facilitate the process of teacher observation in West Virginia,” she said.

Initial licenses of mVal, along with Palm handhelds were purchased for 200 Principals in the state through a Bill and Melinda Gates Leadership Grant. The software and training is now available to all WV school administrators at special pricing.

More information

Donna Peduto, The EdVenture Group
dpeduto@edvgroup.org

Vicki Allen, West Virginia Department of Education
vallen@access.k12.wv.us

Tom Deadrick, Marion County Schools
tdeadric@access.k12.wv.us

Steve Moretti, Media-X Systems
1-888-722-9990 ext. 106 - steve@media-x.com