Help Center for Support of Frontline EEM Platform - Evaluator

Purpose: Provide an overview of the platform, completion of forms, and evaluation management.

For optimal use: This orientation is designed to outline and pull together relevant resources from this Help Center to assist new evaluators with effective use of the platform to support local EE documentation. The topics in this orientation are organized starting at the basics of getting around in the platform into information on completing tasks related to EE processes. 

Note:  Districts and independent charters have flexibility in how the default form templates are configured locally aligned to local implementation. Therefore, screenshots and references may not always align to what you see in your Frontline account. Consult with local administration regarding your local configuration or set up questions.

Getting around in the platform

• Platform structure and navigation
  Get started by becoming familiar with the icons, links, and platform sections used to complete relevant tasks based on your role (being evaluated, evaluator, system admin).
• What the educator/staff member sees
  All users land on the My Growth Journey dashboard under the Insights navigation. This landing page displays local announcement banners (if set locally) and links to incomplete forms.

Manage evaluation processes

• Process View - The Process View provides evaluators with access to all of their assigned users and the functions they need to manage and complete evaluations. The Process View allows the evaluator to see the evaluation process with all components and forms of a specific user.
  
  Beginning of the year: Evaluators should use the Process View to double-check that all of their educators are listed AND that each person is assigned the correct evaluation type (i.e., year of the evaluation cycle).
  End of year: Evaluators can use Process View to finalize all forms. Finalization of forms should be completed by evaluators for all forms, for all staff they are evaluating. Finalization must occur prior to the local system administrator completing rollover at the end of each year.
• Observation Evidence - There are different methods that can be used to document evidence statements collected during an observation and then align those statements to rubric components. Evaluators should use the method with which they are most comfortable.
  • Evidence Collection Tool: The "paper and pencil" icon next to an observation form in the Process View opens this tool. Use the entry field to type evidence statements in real-time. Keyboard shortcuts can be created to speed up entry. Evidence statements are dated and timestamped by the platform. Evidence statements can be aligned ("tagged") to specific practice rubric components either in the moment or after the observation. 
  • Scratch Pad: A "sticky note"-like functionality where statements can be entered and saved. The evaluator must then do a manual sort of the statements to align them to practice rubric components on the form.
  • Direct entry into the Evidence form: Evidence statements can be entered directly into the observation evidence form. These statements would be entered into the Notes section for each component section on the form. Statements may need to be copy and pasted into multiple sections on the form if the statement is evidence of multiple rubric components.

Note: in addition to the collected evidence statements, feedback statements can be entered directly into the Notes sections for each component, as well.

• Form Completion - Use the Process View (see above) to open a specific form for a specific individual. Complete the required/desired fields. Red exclamation marks indicate required fields. Required fields must have an entry before you are allowed to Submit a form. See the Form Buttons article for a description of the actions, functions, and buttons at the bottom of each form. Note that the Save button should always be selected to save entries. There is no auto-save.
• Tracking Completion of Processes - These are tools that can be used to get a picture or overview of the completion status of forms and processes for users in the caseload. Also: check out the Frontline video titled Supporting Efficiencies for Evaluator Use to explore tips and tricks for use of available view tools to keep on track with evaluation processes.
  • Admin View: 

     Provides a breakdown of all forms by status for an administrator for all of the users in their caseload. It provides the amount of forms: Not Scheduled, Proposed, In Progress, Awaiting Acknowledgement, Awaiting Finalization, and Complete. From the Admin View, forms can also be accessed, scheduled, and finalized. 

    For optimal use, forms must be assigned to the evaluator. 

    If forms are not assigned, the administrator will only see administrator-initiated forms as part of the Admin View once submitted.

  • Detail View: Best used to find the status of a specific form. Several functions or actions can also be performed here in bulk, e.g., assigning forms to the administrator who will complete them. The filtering and sorting tools in the Detail View enable you to format the information to create your own custom views for different purposes. You can save each view with a name that makes sense to you, so that you can quickly and easily access the views that you need most often.
  • My Supervision: This is a link at the top of the My Growth Journey dashboard. It provides a quick view of status with a "Explore Details" link directly to the Admin View.
    
• Data Analysis to Inform Implementation and Other Local Systems - The EE System can inform and impact other local systems, including professional development needs and supports, hiring and retention, etc. Therefore, strategically using the reporting tools available in the Frontline platform can be a huge asset to your building and local district administration.
  • Report Writer: Use the "Evaluation Form Data" tab to create a custom report of entries from text fields. There a wide range of uses based on the information you may want to include.
    
    Use cases:
    - An SLO/PPG goal review for all teachers in your building - What trends do you see in the standards alignment? Are the goals aligned to building/district priorities? Are goals reflective of the baseline data and other data sources?
    
     - What Focus Areas are indicated by your teachers (growth-focused forms)?  What trends are evident? How can you use this information to provide supports for frequently identified areas? If your custom report includes the "possible focus areas for next year" at the end of the year, consider what supports or resources you could put in place before the next school year begins to address those areas.
     
  • Rubric Explorer: This reporting tool displays data that is collected through a rubric on a form (which looks like a table where the cells turn orange when you click on them) by representing the information in a graphical format (a one-dimensional heat map), which portrays the frequency with which each component/descriptor/criteria in a rubric was selected across users, buildings, departments, or the district as a whole.
    
    Use cases
    - What are the 3 Danielson components most self-identified as Areas for Growth by my new teachers (growth-focused forms)? Use filters for the domain rubrics on the self-review forms for "new teacher" evaluation types. This information can inform areas for needed support for new teachers (through coaching, mentoring, professional development, etc.).
    
    - Which Danielson components are most identified as areas of strength (growth-focused forms)? Use filters for the "discussed components" rubric on the Professional Conversations Log forms. This information can indicate possible staff who may be utilized as local leaders (in coaching, PD facilitation, district committees, etc.) in those areas for staff who may need additional support or to inform district initiatives/planning.
     
  • Growth Explorer: This reporting tool displays data that is collected through single or multiple response items (e.g., drop-down lists, checkboxes, etc.) by representing the information in a graphical format (a one-dimensional heat map), which portrays the frequency with which each response was selected across users, buildings, departments, or the district as a whole. 
    
    Use case
    - What are some trends in feedback provided using the critical attributes for "engaging students in learning" (3c) during observations of teachers?  Use each of the filters including the observation evidence forms and 3c fields.

Additional training resource:   On-Demand Frontline Recorded Webinar (non-WI specific)