ARC 8509B
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT[281]
Notice of Intended Action
Twenty-five interested persons, a governmental subdivision, an agency or association of 25 or more persons may demand an oral presentation hereon as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.4(1)“b.”
Notice is also given to the public that the Administrative Rules Review Committee may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this proposed action under section 17A.8(6) at a regular or special meeting where the public or interested persons may be heard.
Pursuant to the authority of Iowa Code section 256.7(5), the State Board of Education hereby proposes to amend Chapter 83, “Teacher and Administrator Quality Programs,” Iowa Administrative Code.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is an economic stimulus package enacted by Congress in February 2009. A portion of these funds was allocated for education. This includes $4.35 billion for the Race to the Top Fund, a competitive grant program designed to encourage and reward states that are creating the conditions for education innovation and reform; achieving significant improvement in student outcomes, including making substantial gains in student achievement, closing achievement gaps, improving high school graduation rates, and ensuring student preparation for success in college and careers; and implementing ambitious plans in four core education reform areas:
• Adopting standards and assessments that prepare students to succeed in college and the workplace and to compete in the global economy;
• Building data systems that measure student growth and success and inform teachers and principals about how they can improve instruction;
• Recruiting, developing, rewarding, and retaining effective teachers and principals, especially where they are needed most; and
• Turning around our lowest-achieving schools.
Iowa’s application for these funds will be more competitive with the following proposed amendments to Chapter 83. The amendments strengthen Iowa’s commitment to using student performance data to evaluate educators.
An agencywide waiver provision is provided in 281—Chapter 4.
Interested individuals may make written comments on the proposed amendments on or before March 2, 2010, at 4:30 p.m. Comments on the proposed amendments should be directed to Carol Greta, Office of the Director, Iowa Department of Education, Second Floor, Grimes State Office Building, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0146; telephone (515)281-8661; E-mail carol.greta@iowa.gov; or fax (515)281-4122.
A public hearing will be held on March 2, 2010, from 3 to 4 p.m.	at the State Board Room, Second Floor, Grimes State Office Building, East 14th Street and Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa, at which time persons may present their views either orally or in writing. Any persons who intend to attend the public hearing and have special requirements, such as those related to hearing or mobility impairments, should advise the Department of Education of specific needs by calling (515)281-5295.
These amendments are intended to implement Iowa Code chapter 284.
The following amendments are proposed.
	Item 1. Amend subrule 83.4(1) as follows:
	83.4(1) Demonstrates ability to enhance academic performance and support for and implementation of the school district’s student achievement goals.
	a. 	The teacher:
	(1)	Provides multiple forms of evidence of student learning and growth to students, families, and staff.
	(2) to (7) No change.
	b. 	No change.
	Item 2. Adopt the following new subparagraph 83.4(7)“a”(5):
	(5)	Provides an analysis of student learning and growth based on teacher-created tests and authentic measures as well as any standardized and districtwide tests.
	Item 3. Amend subrule 83.6(1) as follows:
	83.6(1) Individual teacher professional development plan. Each school district and area education agency shall support the development and implementation of the individual teacher professional development plan for teachers other than beginning teachers. The purpose of the individual plan is to promote individual and collective professional development. At a minimum, the goals for an individual teacher professional development plan must be based on the relevant Iowa teaching standards that support the student achievement goals of the teacher’s classroom or classrooms, attendance center and school district or area education agency, as appropriate, as outlined in the comprehensive school improvement plan, and the needs of the teacher. The goals shall go beyond those required under the attendance center professional development plan described in subrule 83.6(2), paragraph “c.” The learning opportunities provided to meet the goals of the individual teacher plan include individual study and collaborative study of district-determined or area education agency-determined content to the extent possible. The individual plan shall be developed by the teacher in collaboration with the teacher’s evaluator. An annual meeting shall be held between the teacher’s evaluator and the teacher to review the goals and refine the plan.