Secretary’s Approval Letter (Oregon) ESEA Flexibility

Date: January 18, 2013

Honorable Rudolph Crew
Chief Education Officer
Oregon Department of Education
255 Capitol Street NE
Salem, OR 97310

Dear Dr. Crew:

I am writing to inform you of the outcome of the U.S. Department of Education’s (Department’s) review of Oregon’s guidelines for teacher and principal evaluation and support systems. As you know, during the week of July 16, 2012, two peer experts reviewed Oregon’s guidelines and the corresponding changes to Principle 3 of Oregon’s request. Department staff also reviewed Oregon’s submission, and both the peers and the Department provided feedback to Oregon on its guidelines.

In response to this feedback, on October 1, 2012, Oregon submitted to the Department revised “Interim Guidelines for Teacher and Administrator Evaluation and Support Systems.” Based on our review of Oregon’s Interim Guidelines and the corresponding changes to Principle 3 of its ESEA flexibility request, we have determined that Oregon has not yet adopted guidelines for teacher and principal evaluation and support systems that meet all requirements of ESEA flexibility. In particular, because it is piloting various methodologies this year, Oregon has not yet adopted a method for including student growth as a significant factor in the teacher and principal evaluation and support systems that will be used by local educational agencies (LEAs) in your State. This determination is consistent with the condition that we placed on the July 19, 2012 approval of Oregon’s request for ESEA flexibility. Accordingly, in order to receive full approval of its ESEA flexibility request through the 2013–2014 school year, Oregon must continue its work to satisfy the condition placed on the approval of its request and, prior to the end of the 2012–2013 school year, submit evidence that it has satisfied the condition along with a request for an extension of the approval of its request, as indicated in my July 19, 2012 letter.

As you know, Oregon’s approval of ESEA flexibility was also subject to the condition that Oregon finalize its new report card, which will be an integral part of the new differentiated recognition, accountability, and support system that, under its approved request, Oregon will implement by the beginning of the 2013–2014 school year. Please keep in mind that Oregon must submit evidence that satisfies both conditions before receiving approval to continue implementing ESEA flexibility during the 2013–2014 school year. In addition, should Oregon make any other changes that affect its implementation of ESEA flexibility, it may need to amend its approved ESEA flexibility request. If you have any questions regarding the amendment process or anything else related to Oregon’s implementation of ESEA flexibility, please contact Clayton Hollingshead at (202) 260-1593 or clayton.hollingshead@ed.gov.

A copy of Oregon’s Principle 3 submission, including its current interim guidelines for teacher and principal evaluation and support systems, will be posted on the Department’s Web site at: http://www2.ed.govhttps://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/esea-flexibility/index.html. I look forward to Oregon’s continued progress in fully implementing ESEA flexibility and to continuing to support you as you work to improve the quality of instruction and academic achievement for all students in Oregon.

Sincerely,

/s/

Arne Duncan


cc: Tryna Luton, Director of School Improvement and Accountability

Secretary's Approval Letter (Oregon) ESEA Flexibility