N. St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale district to implement Q Comp
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 9, 2006
Contact: Randy Wanke (651) 582-1145, Joe McQuillen (612) 845-0083
NORTH ST. PAUL-MAPLEWOOD-OAKDALE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO IMPLEMENT NATION-LEADING TEACHER-PAY PROGRAM
~ Becomes 21st district in the state to undertake professional development and achievement-based pay plan for teachers ~
North St. Paul, Minn. – Education Commissioner Alice Seagren today announced that the North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District will implement Minnesota’s nation-leading Q Comp performance and professional pay program. North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District will be the 21st district in the state to participate and they will receive $2,887,040 in state aid and local revenues for the 2006-07 school year.
“Q Comp gives teachers the opportunity to improve and advance in their profession by boosting professional development,” Education Commissioner Alice Seagren said. “On behalf of Governor Pawlenty, I commend the North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale district 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 North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District, administration and teachers representatives have agreed to the following:
Career ladders or career advancement opportunities: The career ladder includes five positions with various duties and compensations. These positions are:
• Curriculum Leaders- Provides leadership to the subject area committee or the elementary (K-5) grade level and to assure continuous improvement in curriculum and instruction. Subject area chairs will receive a stipend ranging from $1,476 to $2,067 depending on the subject and grade level they serve. Grade level chairs will receive a stipend of $810.50.
• Staff Development Leaders- Provides leadership in the area of school improvement and the staff development needed to assure that improvement. Staff development leaders receive a stipend of $500.
• School Improvement Team- Provides leadership to the staff in their efforts toward improving teacher effectiveness and student learning. School improvement team members will be compensated at various rates depending on their positions, ranging from $1,100 to $2,097.
• Mentors- Provide assistance and support for teachers new to the district. Mentors will be compensated with a stipend of $500 and two release days.
• Team Leaders- Guide the work of teachers assigned to a particular grade level group of students. This position (only available in grades 6-8) will receive a stipend of $922.84.
Job-embedded, teacher-led professional development: The district has chosen to focus Q Comp professional development efforts on having students in each NCLB group improve their achievement in language arts and mathematics. Each site has then analyzed student data to determine which area was of greatest need and used that information to set a site goal and measurable objective that is in alignment with the district focus.
Performance pay: A teacher’s compensation will be based on the following factors:
• 45% (or $765) will be based on the teacher evaluation domain of planning. The teacher’s knowledge of specified instructional strategies, participation in staff development to gain knowledge on specific methods for instruction and designing effective lesson plans that use new methods of instruction to help meet site goals.
• 45% (or $765) will be based on the teacher evaluation domain of implementation of teaching. The teacher’s competence in using the specific methods of instruction, engaging students in work that meets rigorous standards and working as an effective learning team member by focusing on specific goals and methods of instruction will be evaluated.
• 10% (or $170) will be based on student achievement meeting or exceeding the site goal on the specified standardized assessments as determined in each sites goal and on meeting teacher achievement.
Objective and comprehensive teacher evaluation system: Each teacher will be observed in his/her classroom three times over the course of the school year. The evaluation team consists of the principal, career ladder teachers and mentors. Each member of the evaluation team will also be responsible for attending staff development on using the standards and rubric, completing pre and post observation conferences with the teacher being observed and other duties that are determined by the school improvement team.
Alternative professional pay schedule: As a part of the performance pay system each teacher is eligible for up to $1,700 in performance pay. As a part of the system to determine performance pay amounts received each teacher will be observed three times each year. Personal educational goals will determine horizontal movement on the teacher’s professional alternative pay schedule.
"We are very pleased to have our Q Comp plan approved,” said Superintendent Patty Phillips. “It will afford us a wonderful opportunity to recognize and reward some of the powerful and creative work our teachers are doing, which in turn will impact student achievement."
The North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District’s 744 teachers instruct 11,105 students at nine elementary schools, three middle schools and three high schools.
Minneapolis, Hopkins, St. Francis, Mounds View, St. Cloud, Alexandria, Fridley, LaCrescent-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, Lac qui Parle Valley, and North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale 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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