Evaluation Strategies for Thriving Charter Schools: A Q&A with Dr. Meredith Ross

Charter schools occupy a unique space in the education landscape. They enjoy freedoms traditional public schools don't, but they also face distinct challenges. One of the biggest hurdles is navigating the often-complex world of teacher evaluations.

Recently, we hosted a webinar featuring Dr. Meredith Ross, Director of Assessment and Accountability for Charter Schools USA (CSUSA). Dr. Ross shared her expertise on building a tailored evaluation system that supports continuous improvement, attracts and retains top teaching talent, and showcases charter school success to stakeholders.

Q: What are some of the unique challenges charter schools face regarding teacher evaluations?

Dr. Ross: Managing evaluations across different states and charter school authorizers and the lack of standardization can create a significant administrative burden. We answer to about 22 authorizers, so in most of our locations, we are not our own school district. Anytime we're collecting data, whether it be for staff evaluations or anything else, we're potentially doing that up to 22 different ways, because every authorizer has their own template or their own system.

Q: How did you go about building a tailored evaluation system for CSUSA?

Dr. Ross: It was very important for us to find an evaluation system that offered true customization, not just configuration. CSUSA needed a system that could adapt to the unique needs of our schools and the varying requirements of our authorizers. When we worked with the Evaluation team at Education Advanced, we would ask, ‘Could we maybe do this?’ and they would say, ‘Oh, just refresh your screen,’ and it would be there.

Q: What were some of your keys to success in implementing this new system?

Dr. Ross: We took a phased approach and did a gradual rollout. We recognize that charter school leaders often wear many hats, and we wanted to avoid overwhelming them by prioritizing essential training and information.

Q: How do you work with your individual authorizers to ensure a smooth evaluation process?

Dr. Ross: Clear communication and documentation help school leaders understand how the evaluation system integrates with the requirements of different authorizers. We created a lot of our own process documents to help leaders better understand how this all fits into our ecosystem. That helps bridge the gap between Evaluation, our internal systems, and all the systems used by our authorizers.

Q: How do you use the evaluation data to guide planning and improvement?

Dr. Ross: We have a pretty robust, continuous improvement cycle. We use the rubric heat map report in Evaluation to look at groups of teachers that have similar opportunities for growth. Then we can put them in a PLC together, or pair some of those staff with people who are really strong in that area.

Q: What advice do you have for other charter schools looking to improve their evaluation processes?

Dr. Ross: Get key stakeholders involved and then involve those stakeholders throughout the entire process. Allowing leaders to hear it from their peers, other people that are in the same position, goes a long way. This not only ensures buy-in but also helps to identify and address potential challenges early on.

Key Takeaways

• Customization is Key: Charter schools need evaluation systems that can adapt to their unique circumstances. ‍
• Phased Rollouts: Gradual implementation can prevent overwhelming and ensure successful adoption. ‍
• Stakeholder Involvement: Engaging key stakeholders throughout the entire process is crucial for buy-in and effective implementation. ‍
• Data-Driven Improvement: Evaluation data should be used to drive professional development, inform PLC groups, and promote continuous improvement.

By implementing a tailored evaluation system and prioritizing stakeholder engagement, charter schools can create a culture of continuous improvement, attract and retain talented educators, and demonstrate their success to stakeholders.

Want to learn more about building a successful evaluation system for your charter school? Schedule a demo of Evaluation, powered by Education Advanced, today!