Title of Effective Practice: - California Postsecondary Education ...

Direct Connection to Policy Area 5 of The Illinois Commitment
CADRE (CAreer Development Reinforcing Excellence)
Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
What issue or need is addressed by the effective practice?
CADRE improves IMSA’s ability to attract, retain, and develop high quality faculty by providing the
accountability and collegial support necessary to maintain the highest standards of teaching excellence. The
CADRE processes are designed to ensure that IMSA faculty fosters student growth and learning. Through
ongoing dialogue about teaching and learning, we create a collaborative laboratory environment and a
methodology of professional assessment based upon openness, creativity, and trust.
Description of the effective practice:
CADRE is the system for professional development, supervision and evaluation of faculty at IMSA. CADRE
specifies three progressive contractual relationships between IMSA and its faculty which are characterized by
collaborative supervision, mentoring, and instructional facilitation by colleagues, with a focus on teaching and
learning. Faculty members who successfully complete both an initial two-year and subsequent three-year
contract enter into a renewable, continuing contract.
How does this practice achieve sustainability?
A standing CADRE committee composed of representative faculty members from all the academic disciplines,
chaired by the Principal, and the Director of Curriculum, Assessment, and Research meet on a regular basis to
review procedures and contract language. Teachers submit and share a three-year Plan of Professional Growth
that demonstrates evidence of deep knowledge of their discipline, thorough understanding of the science and art
of teaching, and the abilities to develop learning for understanding. The CADRE documents serve as the faculty
member’s employment contract with IMSA.
What are the results/measurable outcomes?
The CADRE process has a positive impact on classroom teaching as measured by direct observation and student
surveys. As a result of CADRE all faculty members receive intensive mentoring and critical advice on their
teaching practice from their colleagues as they progress through the first five years of their employment at
IMSA. All faculty are required to reflect on their practice in writing and share these reflections with their
colleagues and the Principal. Faculty on a continuing contract regularly demonstrate to their peers progress in
their personal professional development plans which are, in turn, guided by IMSA’s Expectations for Teachers.
The CADRE process also has a positive effect on teacher recruitment and retention. Though faculty salaries
have been shown by IBHE to have a mean below high school salaries in the five county Chicago area, IMSA’s
faculty has a markedly low turn over of 5.4%. In addition, 29% of faculty is NBPTS certified, a distinction that
is encouraged and rewarded by the CADRE process.
Contact Information
Name: Eric McLaren, Ed.D
Email: ericmac@imsa.edu
Phone: (630) 907-5000
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