Brandon school district enters Q Comp program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: |
Contact: Joe McQuillen |
BRANDON SCHOOL DISTRICT ENTERS Q COMP PROGRAM
~ Becomes 31st district to undertake professional development and
achievement-based pay plan for teachers ~
Brandon – Commissioner of Education Alice Seagren announced today that the Brandon School District will implement Minnesota’s nation-leading Q Comp performance and professional pay program. Brandon will receive $82,160 in state aid for the 2006-07 school year for implementation efforts.
“Q Comp not only rewards teachers based on performance, it provides for additional training and career options that will ultimately help increase student achievement in the 21st century,” said Commissioner of Education Alice Seagren. “The Brandon School District should be proud to be a leader today by providing this program to its teachers.”
Last year, Governor Pawlenty proposed and the state legislature approved Minnesota’s Q Comp program. Q Comp provides up to $86 million for districts that join the program.
Q Comp is designed to advance the teaching profession by providing structured professional development and evaluation, as well as an alternative pay schedule that compensates teachers based on performance, not just seniority. The program brings together career advancement, professional development and compensation linked to academic achievement. It includes a locally agreed-upon peer evaluation process for every teacher that is based on skills, responsibilities and student academic growth. This plan is voluntary and will add an additional $260 per student in participating districts.
The Q Comp program gives participating school districts the flexibility to meet local needs within a comprehensive model of improved teaching and learning. Brandon’s administration and teacher representatives have agreed to the following:
Career advancement opportunities for teachers: The career ladder includes three positions with various duties and compensations. These positions are:
• Team Leader- Observes teachers using pre- and post-observation conferences that include teacher reflection on the observation; provides feedback on observations using the rubrics from Danielson’s Framework for Effective Teaching; serves on the leadership team; leads professional development opportunities and assists in year-end evaluations of individual growth plans (IGPs), student achievement and staff development activities. Salary augmentation of $2,000 will be given as compensation.
• Instructional Coach- Assists teachers with their IGPs; serves on the leadership team; demonstrates effective teaching practices; assists in researching best practices and assists in year-end evaluations of IGPs, student achievement and staff development activities. Salary augmentation of $1,500 will be given as compensation.
• Mentor Teacher- Meets weekly with mentee, completes quarterly observations and discusses Danielson’s Frameworks and the reflective practice model with mentee. Salary augmentation of $400 will be given as compensation.
Job-embedded professional development: The district goal will be to move six percent of students in levels I and IIa to level IIb or higher on the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA II). This means moving six percent of students below a score of 49 to a score of 50 or higher on the MCA II. This will be facilitated by teachers using thinking skills and problem solving strategies with a focus on higher order thinking skills and critical reasoning.
Teachers will be divided into three teams. All teams will include special education and specialist/arts teachers. Each of these teams will focus on the professional development activities of: team meetings, modeling of instructional strategies, demonstration teaching, mentoring, lesson study, analysis of student work and peer or cognitive coaching. Each team will include a team leader and instructional coach to support change. Each teacher will develop an IGP focused on district goals and student achievement. They will also have three observation cycles. Strategies will include higher order thinking skills and critical reasoning along with demonstration teaching and the refining of units and lessons. The model used for continuous improvement in professional development is based on Charlotte Danielson’s work on the framework of teaching.
Performance pay: Teacher compensation will be based on the following factors:
$600 based on successfully completing three observation cycles with a score of at least basic
$500 based on successfully implementing the IGP
$700 for meeting or exceeding the district goal as outlined in component two
Objective and comprehensive teacher evaluation: Each teacher will be observed and evaluated three times per year. Tenured teachers will be observed and evaluated twice per year by the team leader and once per year by the instructional coach or the administrator. Probationary teachers will be observed and evaluated three times per year by the administrator with additional informal observations by the mentor to familiarize them with the district model.
Alternative professional pay schedule: Performance pay will be awarded as outlined in component three in addition to movement on the salary schedule which has not been reformed at this time. Reformed movement of the schedule will be negotiated into the 2007-2009 contract.
“Of all the factors that impact student learning the teacher is the most significant,” said Brandon Superintendent Mark Westby. “Our District is excited to use this opportunity to enhance professional growth through peer observation and self reflection.”
Minneapolis, Hopkins, St. Francis, Mounds View, St. Cloud, Alexandria, Fridley, La Crescent-Hokah and Marshall began implementing Q Comp program during the 2005-06 school year.
Grand Meadow, Albert Lea, Alden-Conger, Brainerd, Wayzata, Eden Prairie, Red Rock Central, International Falls, Le Center, St. Louis Park, Osseo, Lac Qui Parle, North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale, Clearbrook-Gonvick, Proctor, Burnsville, St. Anthony-New Brighton, Minnetonka,
Delano, Centennial, Pine River-Backus and Brandon school districts will begin implementing during the 2006-07 school year.
Approximately 134 school districts have indicated to the Department of Education they are planning to submit an application for the 2006-07 and 2007-08 school years.
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