Recently, my state moved to the Teacher Keys Effectiveness System (TKES) evaluation program changing from the CLASS Keys process we have utilized for the past few years. At present, we are in a pilot year where each of the five administrators in my school is evaluating 3-4 teachers each using the Teacher Keys process. Next year each teacher will be officially evaluated using the Teacher Keys Evaluation process.
The new evaluation process measures teachers using 10 standards as compared to the 26 standards measured using CLASS Keys. That is a plus. However, you would think decreasing standards from 26 to 10 would save me a great deal of time conducting the evaluation. Well, it has not. For me, the new platform requires the same amount of time for me to conduct a 10 standard evaluation of a teacher as the CLASS Keys platform did measuring 26 standards.
Staff screen on new TKES platform
The TKES process involves three more observations than the CLASS Keys process and a few more face-to-face meetings. The increased number of observations is not a big deal in my building since we are in classrooms all the time anyway. The increased time using the TKES process results from the functionality of the platform.
The CLASS Keys platform is incorporated into my existing eWalk platform. The Formative Analysis CLASS Keys template is facilitated by my friends at Media-X. This allows for a seamless integration to what I am already using every day. The functionality of the platform streamlines the CLASS Keys process so that I do not have to spend additional time navigating a website that is not user friendly.
CLASS Keys Formative Analysis Template from Media-X
The CLASS Keys formative analysis template provided to me by Media-X is my preferred method of teacher evaluation. Although my official evaluations next year will be conducted using a different platform, the majority of my observations I use to improve teaching and learning in my school will be done using eWalk.
The reasons I prefer eWalk for my school improvement initiatives are the user friendly web site that allows me to control the functionality of my templates, the reporting opportunities that allow me disaggregate data so that it is useful to me, and the experience that Media-X brings to the table regarding teacher observations and evaluation.
The eWalk experience provides me with an opportunity to navigate a website that is smooth and precise. The site functions properly providing me with an efficient tool to conduct observations. I am not kicked-off every few clicks left to spend 5-10 minutes logging back on. eWalk provides me with opportunities to disaggregate my data in ways that is important to me. I am not left with little to no opportunities to look at data in a manner that is important to me and my school. I also have experts in the field of instructional technology available to me when I have issues or have questions. I know that the guys at Media-X are continuously exploring innovative methods of improving observation, evaluation, and coaching of educators.
eWalkPLUS web platform provides me with an effective improvement tool
If you have found this information to be useful, please leave a comment and let me know your opinions. If you have any suggestions or questions I would appreciate those as well. If you have specific needs or if you would like more detailed information regarding my experiences, please contact me at sean.kelly@douglas.k12.ga.us.