Quality Compensation For Teachers is a program which was proposed by Governor Tim Pawlenty and enacted in 2005 by the legislature. This is a voluntary program that allows local school districts the opportunity to create a plan that meets the needs of their individual school.
There are five components of the Q Comp law:
. Career ladder/advancement
options
. Job embedded professional
development
. Teacher evaluation . Performance Pay
. Alternative salary schedule
Traditional school districts receive up to $260 per student for the program and charter school districts receive approximately $240 per student. Currently, 44 traditional districts and 31 charter school districts have implemented programs or have been approved to implement Q Comp in the 2009- 2010 school year.
Birch Grove was approved for the program in 2007 when Alice Seagren visited Birch Grove and presented the first check. Theadditional funding is used for professional development and performance pay for the teachers.
This year professional development includes contracting with a retired educator for evaluations, observations, and mentoring. It has also funded two sessions with a target learning specialist. The staff decides what the needs are for the school and has the opportunity to work with each other and choose the development that will meet their needs.
At the beginning of the school year, Q Comp goals are set with measurable and attainable standards and sent to the MN Department of Education for yearly approval. When the school year is completed, performance pay is awarded based on goals being met.
The rewards for Birch Grove from Q Comp:
* It provides an atmosphere where the staff can work together in an open forum that allows critique from peers.
* It sets the tone which meets our mission of being lifelong learners. The adults at Birch Grove continue their quest for knowledge and Q Comp is one tool used to accomplish this.
Each month a representative
of our local schools will
offer thoughts in Issues in
Education. This month’s
contributor is Judy
Motschenbacher, president
of Birch Grove Community
School Board.
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