Professional Development Dossier (PDD) Appendix 4: Criteria for Success

Introduction

External reviewers will evaluate Strands A, B, and C of the PDD to determine your abilities to meet the competencies addressed in each strand. Strands D, Verification, and Strand E, Yearly Evaluation, must be completed through the Application for Licensure Advancement in order for Strands A, B and C to be evaluated by the external reviewers. All external reviewers will be experienced educators who have been trained in the rating process. One of the reviewers will be from your content area(s) and/or grade level(s). What follows in this Appendix is a summary of the criteria the reviewers will use to assign a rating of Meets, Does Not Meet, or Exceeds the competencies for Strands A, B, and C at Levels II and III. Use these criteria to evaluate your PDD prior to submitting it.

  
Strand A — Criteria for Success

Based on the evidence you provide in Strand A, external reviewers will make decisions about your abilities to meet Competencies 1, 2, & 5:

1. The teacher accurately demonstrates knowledge of the content area and approved curriculum.

2. The teacher appropriately utilizes a variety of teaching methods and resources for each area taught.

5. The teacher effectively utilizes student assessment techniques and procedures.

Criteria for Success: Advancement to Level II
 

In order for your PDD to be rated as meeting the Strand A competencies at Level II, the following criteria must be met:

  • The data and explanations must be complete, clear, and organized according to the PDD Guidelines.
  • Information and concepts you provide must be accurate for the content areas addressed.
  • The segment of instruction should promote student development of accurate concepts and acceptable skills within the content areas addressed. You should use multiple teaching strategies and modes of instruction to accommodate different learning styles and adapt instruction for individual student needs. Your segment of instruction should be aligned with the standards you identify. New concepts and ideas should build upon previous experiences, skills, and concepts, with a clear directionality.
  • Students must be assessed on what they have been taught or had the opportunity to learn. Students should be apprised of the criteria for their success prior to completion of their work. Criteria for differing levels of performance should be evident in the student work samples you provide.
     

Failure to meet any of the above criteria may result in a rating of “Does Not Meet.” A rating of “Exceeds” will be assigned to Level II Strand A submissions that go beyond these criteria.
 

Criteria for Success: Advancement to Level III
 

In order for your PDD to be evaluated as meeting Strand A competencies at Level III, Strand A must meet all of the Level II criteria listed above and go beyond Level II criteria in the following ways:

  • You explain the concepts and skills being taught in terms of the larger ideas of the content area and/or in terms of how students may understand and learn them.
  • The segment of instruction promotes an understanding of how the concepts and skills taught fit into the larger ideas of the content area.
  • The segment of instruction provides differentiated instruction, using a variety of methods to reach all students effectively (according to learning modalities, style preferences, and intelligences) with a clear connection to student learning.
  • You work with parents and/or colleagues to adapt instruction to meet the needs of students with disabilities.
  • You help students and parents understand how and why the students are learning.
     

Failure to meet the above criteria may result in a rating of “Does Not Meet.” A rating of “Exceeds” will be assigned to Level III Strand A submissions that go beyond these criteria.

  
Strand B — Criteria for Success

Based on the evidence you provide in Strand B, external reviewers will make decisions about your abilities to meet Competencies 3, 4, 6, and 7:

3. The teacher communicates with and obtains feedback from students in a manner that enhances student learning and understanding.

4. The teacher comprehends the principles of student growth, development and learning, and applies them appropriately.

6. The teacher manages the educational setting in a manner that promotes positive student behavior and a a safe and healthy environment.

7. The teacher recognizes student diversity and creates an atmosphere conducive to the promotion of positive student involvement and self-concept.

Criteria for Success: Advancement to Level II
 

In order for your PDD to be rated as meeting the Strand B competencies at Level II, the following criteria must be met:

  • The data and explanations must be complete, clear, and organized according to the PDD Guidelines.
  • The samples of student work that you provide show growth in one discipline or content area over time.
  • Your explanation highlights aspects of student work and analyzes those aspects in light of sound principles of student growth, development and learning.
  • Your explanation of student progress communicates a positive attitude toward the student and reasonable expectations for growth.
  • Your instruction and resources are reasonable for each student’s development and include necessary adaptations for students with IEPs and English language learners.
  • Your feedback supports student learning.
  • You differentiate between the two students’ work and how they are growing and learning.
     

Failure to meet the above criteria may result in a rating of “Does Not Meet.” A rating of “Exceeds” will be assigned to Level II Strand B submissions that go beyond Level II criteria.
 

Criteria for Success: Advancement to Level III
 

In order for your PDD to be evaluated as meeting Strand B competencies at Level III, Strand B must meet all of the Level II criteria and go beyond Level II criteria in the following ways:

  • Samples of student work show growth in one or more specific concepts or skills within your discipline or content area.
  • You analysis provides an in-depth characterization of each student’s learning and shows a clear relationship between the experiences encountered by the student and his/her learning.
  • Your instruction and resources engage each student in reflecting on his/her own progress in light of learning goals and experiences.
  • Students receive feedback from multiple sources and are helped to make decisions about what to do in response to that varied feedback.

Failure to meet the above criteria may result in a rating of “Does Not Meet.” A rating of “Exceeds” will be assigned to Level III Strand B submissions that go beyond Level III criteria.

  
Strand C — Criteria for Success

Based on the evidence you provide in Strand C, external reviewers will make decisions about your abilities to meet Competencies 8 and 9:

8. The teacher demonstrates a willingness to examine and implement change, as appropriate.

9. The teacher works productively with colleagues, parents, and community members.

Criteria for Success: Advancement to Level II
 

In order for your PDD to be rated as meeting the Strand C competencies at Level II, the following criteria must be met:

  • The data and explanations must be complete, clear, and organized according to the PDD Guidelines.
  • You identify and investigate an area for improvement.
  • You consult resources on methodology, research and current trends in education. You apply what you are learning to your practice, and reflect on the successes and failures of what you are trying out.
  • You communicate with parents/guardians about their children in a professional way that supports student learning
        --or --
    You collaborate with colleagues, parents, and/or community members to positively influence the classroom, school, and/or community.
       

Failure to meet the above criteria may result in a rating of “Does Not Meet.” A rating of “Exceeds” will be assigned to Level II Stand C submissions that go beyond Level II criteria.
 

Criteria for Success: Advancement to Level III
 

In order for your PDD to be rated as meeting the Strand C competencies at Level III, Strand C must meet all of the Level II criteria and go beyond the Level II criteria in the following ways:

  • You demonstrate improvement in your practice and clearly delineate how your experiences evoked that change.
  • You fully integrate collaborative efforts into classroom practice.
  • You facilitate participation of others in the education of students.

Failure to meet the above criteria may result in a rating of “Does Not Meet.” A rating of “Exceeds” will be assigned to Level III Strand C submissions that go beyond these criteria.

 

If you have questions about the PDD, contact ipd@unm.edu.

Complete Guidelines in PDF format - Guidelines for the Preparation of the New Mexico Professional Development Dossier (PDD) for Teachers, 49 pgs [389K]