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MDE presents new administrative-evaluation tool for superintendents in districts of transformation
Summary
The Mississippi Department of Education presented a new evaluation and monthly-update tool for MDE-appointed superintendents in districts undergoing transformation. The tool requires each superintendent to produce three annual strategic plans based on a district needs assessment and calls for monthly progress updates and periodic site visits.
The Mississippi Department of Education presented an administrative evaluation form on Sept. 25 designed for MDE-appointed superintendents and administrators who lead districts in transformation. Department staff described the tool as a framework to set annual priorities, monitor progress and support district improvement.
Presenters said the instrument uses an eight-standard rubric aligned to the department—s administrator-growth rubric and borrows components from the Mississippi School Boards Association (MSBA) instrument. For each MDE-appointed superintendent the form requires a comprehensive district needs assessment and three annually prioritized strategic plans that answer what, why, where, who, when and how for each goal. The department said superintendents will submit monthly update forms and host regular site visits by Office of School and District Transformation staff.
Department staff said the tool aims to create focused, repeatable systems (for example, plans to address attendance or teacher retention) so that when a district is returned to local control it has embedded processes. The presenter also said the department held a multi-hour work session with current transformation superintendents to refine the instrument and that monthly check-ins will help the department and superintendent track progress.
Board members asked whether the strategic plans are developed only by the superintendent or with leadership teams and community input; department staff replied that the plans are expected to be written with the superintendent—s leadership team and, where appropriate, with broader stakeholders. Board members also asked who will conduct the evaluations; staff said visits and evaluations will be conducted by teams from the Office of School and District Transformation and named several staff who will participate.
Board leadership said it will create a subcommittee to oversee communications and accountability for districts of transformation; Mr. Pruitt agreed to chair the subcommittee. Staff said they plan to reconvene an evaluation-review team in January to revise the instrument annually.
The presentation was informational; no board vote was taken on the instrument during the Sept. 25 meeting.
