Seaford Working Toward Required Teacher Evaluation Plan

The Seaford School District is in the process of trying to implement a new state-required Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) for its teachers and administrators.

APPR is an evaluation system for teachers, principals, psychologists and central office administrators that New York State was required to implement in order to continue receiving federal Race to the Top funds. APPR is based on multiple measures of performance including student achievement and classroom observations.

Seaford Superintendent of Schools Brian Conboy explained at Thursday night’s Board of Education meeting that he and Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction John Striffolino have attended training sessions to try and get up to speed on implementing APPR. The district is in negotiations with the United Teachers of Seaford and the Seaford Association of School Administrators to determine how certain elements of APPR will be executed.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced in his State of the State address this past January that any district without an approved APPR plan by Jan. 17, 2013 will lose state aid, which in Seaford’s case would amount to $411,000. Districts will also be faced with additional costs for training, record keeping and grading of assessments.

“This is going to be a massive undertaking for us and every other district next year,” said Conboy during the June 7 school board meeting held at Seaford Manor School. “But I think we have the people in place to make it successful here in Seaford.”

__________________________________________________________________________________

Interested in Wantagh-Seaford news, events, community bulletins, blogs and businesses? Sign up for the free Wantagh-Seaford Patch daily newsletter.

__________________________________________________________________________________