Pittsfield Schools Review Teacher Evaluation Process

By Joe DurwiniBerkshires Staff
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Morningside Principal Joseph Curtis explained the development of a teacher evaluation system to the School Committee on Wednesday.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Morningside Community School Principal Joseph Curtis hailed a recently developed system for evaluating performance of educators in the district, in a presentation to the Public School Committee on Wednesday.
 
Curtis told the committee development of the evaluation process had begun several years ago, as he had worked with former Superintendent Howard Eberwein and teacher's union representative Scott Eldridge to establish a system that was palatable to both teachers and administrators.
 
The process stresses candid observation, as well as self-assessment and documentation by teachers, with a focus on four core standards: curriculum planning and assessment; teaching to all students; reaching family and community; and professional culture.
 
A major part of this evaluation consists of an "evidence binder" in which teachers document their progress, and their accomplishment of these four standards.
 
"It's evaluation package that really brings some self assessment to the process," Curtis told the committee.
 
Another new precedent is the establishment of unannounced classroom observation periods.
 
"At any given time, an evaluator can go into a classroom and complete an observation," said Curtis. "The purpose of this is not to be punitive, but to establish a dialogue with the educator."
 
In addition to these observations, teachers are asked to assess themselves in both professional practice and student academic performance, and to set a measurable personal goal in each category.  Curtis said some teachers are evaluated on a one-year cycle while others are on a two-year cycle.
 
"This is a massive effort to organize all this information," said Curtis. "It has been very time consuming."
 
"I know of no other profession that undergoes this level of rigorous evaluation," said School Committee member Cynthia Taylor, who asked how much time teachers have to work together collaboratively on development toward these goals.
 
Curtis said there is time for this, but they are always looking for more ways to provide such opportunities.
 
"That has to be time above and beyond the usual preparation time," acknowledged Curtis.
 
"There is room for each teacher to pursue this as part of a group," agreed Superintendent Jason McCandless.
 
Principals of each school will be the primary final evaluator of educators, said Curtis, who has assisting in training principals throughout the district.

Tags: Pittsfield School Committee,   teacher,   

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MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.

Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.

BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.

The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.

It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.

Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.  

Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street. 

The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.

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