ESF FACILITATORS

TEA is seeking experienced and accomplished instructional leaders to play a key role in supporting campuses’ use of the Effective Schools Framework to conduct a diagnostic process to support continuous improvement.

ESF Facilitator Job Description

The ESF Facilitator collaborates with the campus principal and district leaders to lead a campus diagnostic process that results in the identification of prioritized practices the campus should focus on for improvement. The ESF Facilitator is responsible for executing high-quality, well-structured diagnostic activities including planning for and leading an on-site diagnostic review producing clear, compelling reports, and supporting campuses with a root cause and barrier analysis and identification of improvement strategies and supports to include in an Improvement Plan.

When working with Improvement Required (IR) and/or Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) campuses, the ESF Facilitator collaborates with the campus principal and District Coordinator of School Improvement (DCSI) to lead the diagnostic and plan development processes resulting in an effective Campus Turnaround Plan or Targeted Improvement Plan.

Responsibilities

ESF Facilitators will be responsible for executing high-quality, well-structured diagnostic activities including planning for and leading an on-site diagnostic review producing clear, compelling reports, and supporting campuses with a root cause and barrier analysis and identification of improvement strategies and supports to include in the improvement plan. Specific responsibilities include:

    Principal and Principal Supervisor/DCSI Communication and Engagement

    • Building trusting relationships with principals and principal supervisors/DCSIs.

    • Clearly communicating diagnostic process expectations, roles, and responsibilities with principal supervisors/DCSIs and campus principals.

    Principal and Principal Supervisor/DCSI Understanding of the ESF and Aligned Supports

    • Strengthening principal supervisor/DCSI and principal understanding of the ESF including the Levers and Essential Actions.

    ESF Diagnostic Execution

    • Scheduling and completing diagnostic pre-visit activities with assigned campus principal supervisors/DCSIs and principals including: requesting and analyzing campus pre-work and student performance data, conducting a pre-visit phone call to review pre-work, building understanding of the ESF, and previewing the on-site visit.
    • Traveling to campuses to conduct diagnostic on-site activities. Depending on observer location and availability, this may involve arranging personal travel logistics for travel within Texas.
    • Scheduling and executing well-structured diagnostic on-site activities at assigned campuses including: leadership interviews, teacher focus groups, and campus, classroom, and PLC observations.

    • Completing diagnostic post-visit activities including analyzing and synthesizing diagnostic data, rating campus key practices, identifying 2-3 prioritized ESF focus areas for improvement, writing comprehensive high-quality, clear, compelling, evidence-based ESF diagnostic reports, and planning and facilitating diagnostic debrief discussions with principal supervisors/DCSIs and principals to review diagnostic findings and build understanding of the campus’ key areas of focus within the ESF.

    Competencies and Qualifications

    Successful ESF Facilitator Candidates Possess the Following Competencies:

    • Deep knowledge of best practices and conditions that are present within effective schools as defined by the ESF

    • Ability to gather, analyze, and synthesize data and other authentic instructional artifacts to assess leadership proficiency and provide feedback both verbally and in writing to influence district actions

    • Ability to build strong relationships quickly and garner buy-in from stakeholders through effective coaching through influence techniques

    • Ability to facilitate a guided root cause and barrier analysis based on data

    • Ability to self-reflect, apply feedback, and continuously improve

    • Knowledge of the Texas accountability system and the necessary actions and measurable progress required to meet state standards

    • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

    • Strong organizational and time management skills

    • Strong verbal and written communication skills

    Successful Candidates Will Possess the Following Qualifications

    • Instructional leadership experience, especially in high-need schools (district and school-level leadership experience preferred)
    • Experience conducting school reviews/diagnostics (preferred)
    • Demonstrated track record of meeting ambitious academic goals with students
    • Successfully complete the ESF Facilitator training and associated calibration assessment

    ESF Facilitators must also successfully complete the ESF Facilitator training and associated calibration assessment administered at the end of training to continue as an ESF Facilitator. In the event that a training participant does not pass, she/he will be paid for participation in initial training.

    Time Commitment

    It is preferred that ESF Facilitators support between 3-5 campuses per diagnostic cycle. Full diagnostic process activities take approximately 40-60 hours to complete including pre-visit, on-site, and post-visit activities. Work time will vary based on how the ESF Facilitator and the campus and district leaders choose to schedule the diagnostic activities. Initial in-person training will last approximately 3 days. Participants should expect to complete independent pre-work prior to the training. More details on training dates, structure and content will be shared with final stages of the hiring process. The rate of pay for this position is $100 per hour.

    Apply

    ESF Facilitator Interview Information

    Facilitator Applications

    The Effective Schools Framework (ESF) Facilitator Applications are due to TEA by May 15, 2019. Applicants who have been selected to participate in the interview process will be notified.

    Facilitator Interviews

    The ESF Facilitator interviews will be held on May 31st (1:30 PM-8:00 PM), June 1st (8:30 AM-3:00 PM), June 6th (8:30 AM-3:00 PM), and June 7th (tbd). Interview times have been scheduled to accommodate work and travel schedules. Applicants should indicate their preferred interview date within their application to facilitate scheduling if invited for an interview.

    Due to the critical nature of the role and the level of expertise required, the ESF Facilitator interview process will include multiple skill demonstrations as well as in-person interviews. The interview process will be held over the course of one day, up to 5 hours total. During the interview day, applicants who demonstrate proficiency in an initial round of interview activities will be invited to continue on to a second round, which will occur same day. To facilitate the interview process, TEA will send applicants interview pre-work 72 hours in advance of the interview.

    After the interview process is complete, TEA will notify applicants of their provisional acceptance as ESF Facilitators.

    Facilitator Trainings

    Those who receive provisional acceptance as ESF Facilitators will be required to attend an ESF Facilitator Training and demonstrate mastery of the required skills on a post-training assessment before final certification as an approved ESF Facilitator.

    The ESF Facilitator Trainings will be held on June 24-26, July 8-10, and August 5-7. ESF Facilitators with provisional acceptance will be required to attend one of the training sessions. Applicants should indicate their preferred training dates within their application to facilitate scheduling if accepted.