Lac qui Parle Valley district to implement Q Comp
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 5, 2006
Contact: Randy Wanke (651) 582-1145; Joe McQuillen (612) 845-0083
LAC QUI PARLE VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT TO IMPLEMENT NATION-LEADING TEACHER-PAY PROGRAM
~ Becomes 20th district in the state to undertake professional development and achievement-based pay plan for teachers ~
Madison, Minn. – Education Commissioner Alice Seagren today announced that the Lac qui Parle Valley School District will implement Minnesota’s nation-leading Q Comp performance and professional pay program. Lac qui Parle Valley School District will be the 20th district in the state to participate and they will receive $261,820 in state aid and local revenues for the 2006-07 school year.
“Q Comp gives the district an opportunity to advance the teaching profession by improving professional development and linking compensation to academic achievement,” Education Commissioner Alice Seagren said. “On behalf of Governor Pawlenty, I commend the Lac qui Parle Valley and its teachers on their decision to participate in this groundbreaking education reform.”
Governor Pawlenty proposed, and the state legislature approved, Minnesota’s Q Comp program last year. Q Comp provides up to $86 million for districts that join this categorical aid program which is a part of the general education funding formula.
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. 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 another $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. The Lac qui Parle Valley School District, administration and teachers representatives have agreed to the following:
Career ladders or career advancement opportunities: The career ladder includes three positions with various duties and compensations. These positions are:
• Mentor - Help mentee establish goals for professional growth. A mentor will observe mentee in instructional setting and meet with mentee at least monthly. A mentor will receive salary augmentation for working with new teachers at a rate of $500 during the first year, $400 during the second year, and $300 during the third year.
• Curriculum Leader - Lead subject area/grade level curriculum review process and facilitate selection and acquisition of instructional materials. Curriculum leaders will receive salary augmentation of $300 and release time of up to three days during the school year.
• Lead Teacher - Serve as leader of a teacher learning community and support development and pursuit of annual goals. Lead teachers will receive a salary augmentation of $1,200 per year and release time from their classroom for two periods per day.
Job-embedded professional development: These site goals and measurable objectives for each of the three sites are:
• Appleton/Milan: Appleton and Milan elementary will increase overall math scores by 2% as measured against state average scores. The average scaled score for math at grades 3 and 5 will increase by 2% on the 2006 MCAs.
• Madison/Marietta/Nassua: On the 2006 math MCA, 93% of students will meet the proficient scale score of 1420. 93% of students will achieve at the proficiency level on the 2006 math MCA.
• Lac qui Parle Valley High School: Grade 9 students will meet or surpass the state average for the number of students achieving proficiency on the writing MCA II. The school will also make adequate yearly progress (AYP) in math and reading in 2006 as measured by MCA scores.
Performance pay: A teacher’s compensation will be based on the following factors:
• 70% ($840) of potential performance compensation is based on a teacher’s successful participation in the professional learning community activities.
• 15% ($180) of potential performance compensation is based on successful evaluations of the teacher by the principal and peers.
• 15% ($180) of potential performance compensation is based on individual student achievement and school wide performance on the MCAs.
Comprehensive and objective teacher evaluation system: All teachers will schedule at least two formal classroom evaluations with their lead teacher. In addition, each teacher will schedule one formal evaluation with the building principal which will follow the evaluation tool and procedure selected by the principal. Observers/evaluators will utilize the processes and rubrics established for each specific type of activity (lesson study, peer review, focus group, etc.).
Alternative professional pay schedule: A memorandum of agreement and a transition salary schedule have been developed to begin the transition, which will be further incorporated into the 2007-2009 master agreement. During the 2006-2007 school year, participating in professional learning community activities, completing successful evaluations and making satisfactory progress toward attaining student achievement goals provides each teacher an opportunity to earn up to an additional $1,200 beyond the base salary schedule increase.
“The district is looking forward to the potential Q Comp offers for improving instruction and learning, said Lac qui Parle Valley School District School District Superintendent Bob Munsterman. “This will be a great opportunity for our teachers to expand on the curriculum and instruction improvement activities they have been involved in for several years.”
The Lac qui Parle Valley School District has 986 students, 79 teachers, three elementary schools and one high school.
Minneapolis, Hopkins, St. Francis, Mounds View, St. Cloud, Alexandria, Fridley, La Crescent-Hokah and Marshall started implementing the Q Comp program during the 2005-06 school year. Grand Meadow, Albert Lea, Alden-Conger, Brainerd, Wayzata, Eden Prairie, Red Rock Central, International Falls, St. Louis Park, Osseo and Lac qui Parle Valley 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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