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School district hopes improved connections will woo more new teachers to Pasco

 
Published Sept. 9, 2015

Pasco County district officials have turned to area colleges and universities to improve their access to qualified new teachers.

Deputy superintendent Ray Gadd has taken the lead in making connections between the district and the University of South Florida, USF St. Petersburg, Saint Leo University and Pasco-Hernando State College, with an eye toward agreements that bring their aspiring teachers into Pasco schools for internships. They could then have the inside track to jobs in the county, which has a dire need for educators, particularly in math and science.

"We got an incredibly warm reception," Gadd said. "This is a group of motivated, enthusiastic professionals who want to make a partnership."

The effort is prompted by a recent TNTP — The New Teacher Project — report that suggested the district's hiring procedures put it at a disadvantage competing for employees. Specifically, the report said Pasco starts too late in recruiting and misses out on many potential applicants.

Superintendent Kurt Browning said this initiative could make Pasco more competitive.

"I told the (USF) dean I want to be able to have a seat at the table. I want to have first dibs as well, because our kids deserve it," Browning said. "We need to make the case why they should come to Pasco County and work, serve. Right now, I'm not sure we're afforded that."

In a related move, the district has reorganized its human resources department so more employees can help principals locate job candidates.

ABOUT THOSE TEST SCORES: After reading an independent validity study of the Florida Standards Assessment, Browning found himself in a tough spot.

Problems identified with the tests — from a lack of alignment to state standards to technology glitches in the administration — convinced him that the results should not be used for teacher evaluations, school grades or student assignment decisions.

Yet he can't find a way to avoid using the scores for those reasons.

"I don't know how, legally, a superintendent just says, 'I know what the law says, but I'm not going to do it,' " Browning said, noting his job could be on the line if he doesn't comply.

Several superintendents have discussed ways around the test uses in a series of recent conference calls. They talked about all sorts of changes they could make locally, such as decreasing the emphasis on test results for evaluations.

Browning suggested that the very fact they have wiggle room demonstrates the limited value of the system.

For now, he said, his plan is to just make clear to teachers and the public that as he makes decisions, he won't put much stock in the 2015 FSA.

"Until we get an assessment that measures Florida standards, we're going to continue to have these problems," he said, questioning whether the state could improve the tests in time for spring.

FIVE STRENGTHS: Several school district leaders have taken to including five words in their email signatures.

Teaching and learning director Steve Williams, for instance, puts "Responsibility | Deliberative | Strategic | Learner | Relator." Federal programs senior supervisor Tammy Rabon's are "Strategic • Achiever • Individualization • Developer • Learner."

So what gives?

The district has asked administrators to participate in Gallup's Strengthsfinder assessment to help them determine "what they do best." After answering a set of questions, they get back five key strengths from a list of about 50 to build upon.

Futuristic? "People who are especially talented in the Futuristic theme are inspired by the future and what could be. They inspire others with their visions of the future."

Arranger? "People who are especially talented in the Arranger theme can organize, but they also have a flexibility that complements this ability. They like to figure out how all of the pieces and resources can be arranged for maximum productivity."

Some district officials, including assistant superintendent Vanessa Hilton, have decided against using the five words. Hilton said she prefers to just use her title and the district logo, so people know who she is and what she represents.

But a growing number are listing their terms. Who knows? Maybe you'll hear from someone who's good at "Woo." (Browning is.)

Contact Jeffrey S. Solochek at jsolochek@tampabay.com or (813) 909-4614. Follow @JeffSolochek.