The Echo

"The $8.2 million, three-year program is meant to help reward and attract teachers to challenged schools in Delaware. Thirty schools were named by the state as eligible for the program, which will award a $10,000 bonus to certain teachers in these schools who meet yet-to-be-defined student test score goals set by the state." http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20120512/NEWS03/205120315/Thirty-high-need-schools-eligible-teacher-bonuses?nclick_check=1

This program is part of the State's Race to the Top Application.  Districts and charters long ago signed MOU's affirming their support of the plan.  I have no idea if Boards will be asked to vote on whether or not their named schools participate in this program. But, my question to you is -Do Christina's parents and teachers want to participate? Before you answer, I want to share a few off the cuff thoughts: 

• The state must be notified of participation by May 25th.
• The metrics or minimum score requirement for reward are yet to be determined.
• The details of the program are to be shared with schools/districts in the coming weeks. Is that after schools have opted in or out? (I have a memo.)
• The rules may change from year to year.
• From the NJ story "For the first year of the program, the only school employees eligible will be reading and math teachers who have students in grades 3-10 who take the Delaware Comprehensive Assessment System."
• The DOE memo I have actually states that select principals and assistant principals are eligible for the incentive/reward,too.
• Does this type of program improve school and/or district morale among employees?
• Do you believe that teachers of children in higher performing schools work any less hard that the teachers of children in persistently failing schools? Especially when the demographics of the schools are similar?

"The one thing that I really think about ... is how important educator retention is in the highest need schools," said Christopher Ruszkowski, chief officer, teacher and leader effectiveness unit in the state Department of Education.

Chris R. - do you think that you are the only one concerned with educator retention in those schools with the greatest need?  If that's really your concern - do you think that an incentive pay program that polarizes school employees, all of whom, have a role in school climate and culture, is going to provide the stabilizing force needed in those schools?  

The Eligible Schools

Brandywine School District's Harlan Elementary
» Christina School District's Bancroft, Elbert-Palmer, Oberle, Pulaski and Stubbs elementary schools; Bayard Middle; and Glasgow High
» Capital School District's Dover High
» Indian River School District's John Clayton Elementary
» Red Clay Consolidated School District's Highlands, Lewis Dual Language, Marbrook, Mote, Shortlidge and Warner elementary schools; and Stanton and A.I. du Pont middle schools
» New Castle County Vo-Tech School District's Howard High School of Technology
» Laurel School District's Laurel Middle
» Seaford School District's West Seaford Elementary
» Charter schools: Academy of Dover, Delaware College Prepatory, EastSide, Edison, Family Foundations, Kuumba, Moyer, Positive Outcomes and Prestige Academy
SOURCE: the state Department of Education