Post #7 - Coaching Visits, Preliminary Accountability, LionBridge

First Week of School Visits

Thank you for spending time with me during these first days to see school opening in action (establishing building and classroom routines, solidifying schedules, dealing with transportation issues, welcoming kindergarteners, managing late hires or no-shows, etc...) I also saw many classrooms where teachers embedded content while teaching routines. I am becoming oriented to parts of the city with distinct characteristics such as Southie and Allston-Brighton, and I’m getting to know you as educational leaders, each with distinct styles, but what ties you all together is your commitment to the children and families of Boston. Thank you!

Coaching Visits Commence Monday, September 14

I'm excited about starting our coaching cycles on Monday. We will follow the agenda below and use this form to document our visit:

• Operational or other concerns (15)
• Check-in and Follow-up (15)
• Leadership Development/Student Learning & Professional Practice Goals (15)
• QSP Priorities, Includes Observation in Classrooms, ILT, etc... (75)
• Teacher Development/Educator Evaluation (20)
• Next Steps/Commitments (10)

This is the coaching framework all Academic Superintendents will use this year to be more consistent and to focus on your growth as a leader, the actionable and measurable parts of the QSP, and on the development of your staff. I'm excited about giving it a try even though it may feel awkward in the beginning.

Preliminary Accountability Reports

You should have received an email from DESE about logging into the Security Portal to view your accountability reports that provide a measure of whether your school met your targets (from ALI) and the school's percentile ranking. A few thoughts:

• This year is a baseline year. In the past, your percentile ranking was based on four years of data. Additionally, this year's metrics are different - they include chronic absenteeism and considers the progress of students who performed in the lowest 25%. It is tempting to compare percentile rankings, but we should refrain from doing so.
• We no longer have Level designations. 
• A school can have a high rank, but not meet targets and can have a low rank and meet or exceed targets. These measures need to be taken together, not one or the other. The main point to remember is that all students need to make progress and reach 500+ scaled sore.

If you think there is a discrepancy (i.e. low participation rate), you need to reach out to Jake Stern (jstern) as soon as possible so they can review the concern and report to the state. This could make a difference in whether focused or targeted support is recommended.

Academic Superintendents are working with ODA to provide support on understanding, interpreting, and aligning your QSP goals. If you have questions about any of this, there are still two webinars with openings on September 20 and and 24 at 3:00 PM

LionBridge Telephonic Translation Services

Pictured above is Principal McKeigue Cruz communicating with a parent who speaks Vietnamese using LionBridge telephonic translation service to solve a transportation issue.

If you are interested in using this resource, look back to emails you received on September 4 or 5 that included Telephone Interpretation Policy and your access PIN. This tool should be used for times for routine matters that last no more than 30 minutes. Administrators or designee must authorize use of this telephonic interpretation service. Use:

• When in-person interpretation is not available specifically for required Special Education meetings (i.e. IEP and evaluation) after attempts have been made to secure in-person interpretation through the district’s request system. Telephonic usage for Special Education related matters is only allowed when prior written parent consent is received.
• When no trained, professional interpreter is available in person
• When written translation of information is inadequate or unavailable.

Do not use for teaching, classroom use or the delivery of other daily or regular educational programs or services.

How to Access the Telephone Interpretation Option
In-School Administrators must authorize all use of Telephonic Interpretation Services
Cost per minute (at District’s expense):  Spanish - $0.49; All other languages $0.69  

Step #1: Have LEP parent/guardian on the phone/present prior to placing the call
Step #2: Call our toll-free phone number: 1-800-444-6627
Step #3: Enter your school's PIN.
Step #4: Select 1 for Special Education or 2 for General Education
Step #5: Choose language.

• Press 1 for Spanish
• Press 2 for Haitian Creole
• Press 3 for French
• Press 4 for Cantonese
• Press 5 for Portuguese
• Press 6 for Vietnamese
• Press 7 for Somali
• Press 8 for Arabic
• Press 9 for Mandarin
• Press 0 For any other language needs or concerns. If no interpreter is available, the operator will inform you to call back later.