LEAD is shifting from a calendar-year evaluation cycle to a November-October annual cycle to more closely align to the academic year. The 2020-21 academic year will be the first full year of implementation of the new cycle (Nov. 1, 2020-Oct. 31, 2021).  

To support this shift and fulfill our legal obligations, we will implement a LEAD evaluation short cycle to start Feb. 1, 2020, and end Oct. 31, 2020. This timeline will not affect the Feb. 28 deadline to complete end-of-year LEAD evaluations, which are for the 2019 LEAD year that ended Dec. 31. 

For more information, read the one-pager LEAD Evaluation Cycle Timeline Shift: What you Need to Know.

LEAD ONLINE TOOLS

Whetstone

Whetstone is the collaborative observation and coaching tool for educators, inclusive of; Teachers, Specialized Service Providers and School Leaders. This tool includes enhanced communication and analytic features that make documentation and sharing simple, while helping educators work together to make progress toward their goals. 

Whetstone is available at https://dps.whetstoneeducation.com/

Training resources are found by searching "Whetstone" in Schoology and within Whetstone itself under the "Learn" menu on the top toolbar. Also see DPS Whetstone Quick Tip Goals and Action Steps. 

Whetstone User Guides:

• Reminder on how to input, edit, complete Whetstone Goals and Action Steps
• Whetstone LEAD Evaluation – Manager
• Whetstone LEAD Evaluation - Employee

LEAD GROWTH AND PERFORMANCE SYSTEM RESOURCES

LEAD Framework resources

• LEAD Growth & Performance System Handbook
• LEAD Scoring Instructions
• School Leader Positions on LEAD
• LEAD Professional Practice and Student Growth SMART Goal Examples
• LEAD for Senior/Team Leads 2019-20

Principal/AP/Leader of Others 

• LEAD EOY Key Actions & Timeline
• Infor HR Instructions: How to change AP position to be indirect supervisor over deans
• LEAD Fairness Guide
• LEAD End-of-Year Conversation Guide PDF Version
• LEAD Overall Student Growth Rating Calculator - download as an EXCEL spreadsheet
• Whetstone Login Page

LEAD evaluation structure

LEAD evaluation is made up of 50% professional practice and 50% student growth. 

Professional practice is measured by the six competencies in the LEAD Framework. 
LEAD Framework Competencies:

1. Instructional Expertise
2. Vision & Strategy
3. People & Culture
4. Community & Equity
5. Personal & Values
6. Operational & Organizational

Student growth is measured by SPF growth and individual goals for student growth.

• SPF Growth Indicator, at least 30% of overall rating 
• Recommended 20%, minimum 10%
• Individual goals for student growth aligned with UIP and School Improvement Plan, at least 20% of overall rating 
• Recommended 30%, minimum 5%

All principals, assistant principals, and leaders of others create and submit 2–3 leader-selected student growth goals. Student growth goals are intended to highlight school leaders’ primary areas of focus and are intended to align with the school’s Unified Improvement Plan (UIP) and Strategic School Plan.