IPSI educator quality initiatives focus on improving the quality of public school educators in Texas by (1) attracting, motivating, and retaining high quality educators; and (2) rewarding educators for exemplary teaching and student achievement growth. These goals are accomplished through various reform efforts including the development of campus-based professional development programs, instructionally focused accountability, and the development and administration of performance pay programs. Educator Quality initiatives involve all aspects of reform: research, policy, and practice.
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Dr. Tammy Kreuz
702 Colorado Street, CLB 5.200
Austin, TX 78701
512-322-3757
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In partnership with the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching and the TEA, IPSI manages the Texas Teacher Advancement Program to improve teacher quality and retention. TAP is a comprehensive research-based reform model that provides differentiated compensation for teachers and principals based on teachers’ performance in the classroom and the academic performance of their students. TAP balances a rigorous accountability system with strong support for teachers and school leaders. Read more...
Dr. Tammy Kreuz
702 Colorado Street, CLB 5.200
Austin, TX 78701
512-322-3757
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Federal Teacher Incentive Fund Program
In May 2007, the U.S. Department of Education awarded the UT System a $1.4 million grant for a program that focuses on boosting recruitment and retention of teachers and principals at some of the state’s most economically disadvantaged public schools. The grant will be distributed to the UT System’s Teacher Incentive Fund (TIF) program and will likely be funded for five years with approximately $25.5 million dedicated to rewarding high-performing teachers and principals in 27 schools that serve high poverty and minority students. IPSI will administer the grant. Read more...
Dr. Tammy Kreuz
702 Colorado Street, CLB 5.200
Austin, TX 78701
512-322-3757
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Texas Governor’s Educator Excellence Award Programs
In May 2006, the 79th Legislature, third-called special session, passed House Bill One. This bill was one of the most sweeping education reform bills in the state since the education code was re-codified in 1995. Included in this bill were two teacher incentive programs—funded at a total of $247 million for Fiscal Year 2009—that create the largest investment in teacher incentives in the nation.
In partnership with the Texas Education Agency (TEA), the Institute for Public School Initiatives (IPSI) at the University of Texas System is providing statewide technical assistance to support the implementation of these programs. The primary goals of this technical assistance are to provide Texas school districts and charter schools with ongoing guidance in developing and implementing successful research-based educator performance pay systems and to build capacity for long term support of these programs across the state.
IPSI and TEA are seeking to achieve three key goals. The first goal is to provide information and resources that will enable districts and campuses to create effective incentive plans. The second goal is to support districts and campuses in their efforts to obtain and use meaningful data. The third goal is for districts and campuses to create programs through a process that creates buy-in from key stakeholders at the local level.
To support these goals IPSI has developed a collaborative partnership that brings together nationally-recognized expertise such as Peabody College of Vanderbilt University, the Texas Schools Project at the University of Texas at Dallas, and J. Koppich & Associates. Together all partners will create technical assistance activities to support campuses and districts in creating effective plans that are measurable, fair, and effective and, most importantly, lead to increases in student achievement and teacher retention. The program provides prototypes of performance pay programs successfully using student achievement data and other performance indicators in a way that is meaningful. And last, partners assist districts in their efforts to engage all relevant stakeholders and create a communications strategy that supports the success of their incentive programs.
For more information, please view our compensation structure matrix PDF here.
TEEG and DATE Technical Assistance
512-579-5050
teaperformanceawards@utsystem.edu
Dr. Heather Zavadsky
702 Colorado Street, CLB 5.200
Austin, TX 78701
512-499-4395
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In partnership with the UT System, the National Center for Educational Accountability (NCEA) is examining the teacher preparation programs at UT System institutions. By identifying and investigating best practices and sharing this information with college administrators, substantive and positive changes in teacher preparation programs can be made.
This comprehensive five-year study concludes in December 2007. A full report is anticipated for release in early spring.
Chrys Dougherty
National Center for Educational Accountability
512-320-1800
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www.talentedteachers.org
www.teaperformanceawards@utsystem.edu
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