District DIAC recommends targeted wording changes to nurse evaluation rubric

The district’s DIAC convened to review suggested changes to the school nurse evaluation rubric after a request from the nurse facilitator. Rachel Chikala reported that nurses and administrators recommended two specific edits to make the rubric more applicable to nursing practice.

Chikala said the committee revised language about "promoting wellness through class presentations" because nurses often provide instruction outside traditional classroom presentations (for example, bulletin boards, the nurse’s office, or cafeterias). “They wanted to change the promoting wellness through classes or class presentations because oftentimes, nurses don't actually go into the class to teach,” she said.

The committee also recommended expanding the listed collaborators on student medical plans. The rubric previously named only "teachers;" the revised wording adds administrators, CST and guidance to reflect who typically joins nurses in developing medical plans. "For highly effective...the language was changed to nurse-initiated collaboration with classroom teacher, administration, CST, or guidance," Chikala explained.

Board members asked clarifying questions about where the revised phrasing appears on the rubric and were told the changes are indicator-level edits to the nurse-specific educator-evaluation rubric rather than wholesale changes to the district’s evaluation system. Staff affirmed the committee’s consensus and recommended moving forward with the clarified indicator language.