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In 1991, the Seattle Public
Schools and the Seattle Education Association agreed to establish
the STAR Program, a joint commitment to staff development and
professional support. After a year and a half of collaboration, the
program became a reality in February 1993.
The STAR Program consists of
two components, one for newly-hired teachers and one for
experienced teachers.
The newly-hired staff component
of the STAR Program offers all newly-hired teachers the support,
advice, and direction necessary to make their first year's
experience in the Seattle Public Schools as successful as possible.
Consulting teachers work with newly-hired teachers and coach,
assist, and assess their classroom performance.
The intervention staff
component of the STAR Program offers all available resources within
the school system to help experienced teachers who are having
serious difficulties in the performance of their professional
duties. In close cooperation with the building principal, the STAR
consulting teacher works to identify weaknesses in teaching skills,
develops specific performance goals, offers support and monitors
the progress of each intervention participant. Other school system
personnel assist in the program when requested by the STAR
Panel.
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