Glossary of Terms
LEAP Terms - Defined
Scan through this glossary of terms for more clarification on LEAP terms. If you don't find the term you are looking for, please submit it here.
Design Teams: Groups of teachers and principals within DPS that were formed to incorporate teacher and principal voice into the new DPS Framework for Effective Teaching and LEAP. The five Design Teams include: Principal Effectiveness, Teacher Effectiveness, Peer Observation, Student Assessment and Outcomes, and Professional Development.
DPS Framework for Effective Teaching: The foundation for accessing educator effectiveness and the tool used for classroom observations in DPS. The DPS Framework for Effective Teaching provides a shared understanding of effective teaching in DPS. The framework is specific to DPS and was designed with input from the Teacher Effectiveness Design Team, national research, and national consultants from Center for Teacher Quality.
Inter-Rater Reliability: The degree of agreement/consensus among raters. Principals and Peer Observers will receive extensive inter-rater-reliability training on the new DPS Framework for Effective Teaching to ensure that their ratings concur.
MET (Measures of Effective Teaching) Project: A national research study designed to identify fair and reliable measures of effective teaching. Denver is one of seven districts participating
Multiple Measures: Teacher evaluations have historically involved a teacher being rated soley by their principal. With LEAP, DPS is moving towards creating a body of evidence for a teacher’s practice based on many aspects: principal observations, peer observations, student outcomes, student perception data, and professional collaboration and planning. This body of evidence will give us much richer insight as to a teacher’s strengths and areas for growth.
Offstage Domains: The elements of effective teaching that occur outside of classroom instruction and environment (planning and preparation as well as contributions to team and school).
Onstage Domains: The elements of effective teaching that occur in the classroom (instruction and classroom environment).
Peer Observer: One of the multiple measures of LEAP. Centrally hired and managed teachers who are recognized for their experience and expertise in content, classroom instruction, student achievement, and best practices.
Professional Practices Work Group (PPWG): A group comprised of DPS employees, DCTA members,and outside experts that act as an advisory board to the LEAP steering committee, project leadership team, and design teams.
Steering Committee: An oversight committee for Empowering Excellent Educators responsible for ongoing strategic direction and decision making. The group is comprised of Tom Boasberg - DPS Superintendent, Susana Cordova - DPS Chief Academic Officer, Shayne Spalten - DPS Chief Human Resources Officer, Henry Roman - DCTA President , and Carolyn Crowder - DCTA.