OFT recently clarified questions about the new OTES Framework with Julia Simmerer in the Center for the Teaching Profession at the Ohio Department of Education. The new framework changes the automatic trigger for being placed on an improvement plan from student growth to a teacher's summative rating. This change was adopted by the state board of education.
A teacher placed on an improvement plan can be removed at any time the district feels he or she has made the improvement necessary. It is a local decision. Those teachers put on an improvement plan strictly because of student growth scores, but with a summative rating that suggests otherwise, can be removed this year. Even those on the improvement plan based on student growth could be removed if there was evidence they have made the necessary improvements.
While the new framework changes the automatic trigger for an improvement plan from student growth to the summative rating, it is a local decision as to when a teacher comes off an improvement plan and goes on to a growth plan. There is no rule requiring an improvement plan to remain in effect for a full year. It could last longer if the teacher is not providing evidence of improvement in the areas cited in the plan. A teacher can be removed in less than a year after demonstrating improvement has been made.
OFT has received questions about when eTPES will be ready to reflect the new framework. Here is additional information about eTPES:
- When the final summative rating is calculated this spring, the improvement plan flag will only be generated if the final summative rating is “Ineffective” or the evaluator determines that an improvement plan is needed.
- The improvement plan flag will remain even if a teacher moves to a professional growth plan. It will indicate that the teacher started the year on an improvement plan.