The Rewarding Results Fund

Introduction:

States with strong accountability systems have made the greatest and most consistent gains in student achievement, and had greater success in closing the achievement gap. 

Strong accountability systems include:

·         Performance Indicators for each school and district.

·         Incentives for schools/districts that meet or exceed performance targets.

·         Assistance for struggling schools and districts.

·         Consequences for persistently unacceptable performance.

·         Authority commensurate with accountability.

Increased Demand + Increased Support = Increased Results.  The Governor’s Plan for a New PA includes preschool, full-day kindergarten, lower class size in the early grades, intensive tutoring for struggling learners, staff development, and other student and teacher supports that will help schools meet the demands of the accountability system.   

 Pennsylvania Will Use Nationally Accepted Performance Indicators and Meet the Requirements of the Federal No Child Left Behind Legislation:

Every school will be held accountable for making Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in:

• Student academic achievement, based on the number of students who are reaching standards each year;
• Graduation and promotion rates, and
• Student and staff attendance.

Incentives for High Performance:

Rewards for High Academic Performance: Schools that meet or exceed their performance goals will receive recognition, financial rewards, and/or exemptions from some state regulations.

Recognition for Effective and Efficient Financial Performance:  Districts that demonstrate sound financial practices and effective use of resources will be recognized and showcased.

Assistance to Improve:

School Improvement Grants: Time-limited and targeted investments in schools and districts that are unable to meet improvement goals.

Distinguished Educators:  A cadre of highly skilled teachers/ administrators who help struggling schools/districts identify instructional or systemic barriers to improving student achievement and who work alongside school staff to overcome those barriers.

  Consequences for Schools and Districts that Persistently Fail to Improve:

An escalating series of improvement actions will take place when schools or districts persistently do not improve, including:

• Changes in curriculum.
• Providing some students the option of transferring to another school.
• Restructuring the school with new teachers and administrators.

    Authority Equal to Accountability: 

Pennsylvania’s new accountability system gives our educators both the responsibility and the power to produce results.

For Superintendents: Increased Authority to Lead and Accountability for Results.  Superintendents provided the authority to manage the operations of the district and its staff, provide instructional leadership, and promote a positive learning environment.  Renewal of contracts dependent on improved (or continuously satisfactory) levels of student performance.  

For Principals:  Higher Pay – Increased Flexibility – and More Authority Using a set of nationally accepted standards, local districts hire principals under contract and evaluate them based on their school’s performance.

Rewarding the Increasing Skills of Teachers:

Teacher effectiveness is key to student learning.  Teachers who demonstrate increasing levels of skill in nationally accepted standards of effective teaching practice should be rewarded, including given opportunities for increased compensation.

Levels

Certification

Requirements

Additional Requirements

Reviews*

Duration Limit

Career 1

§      PA professional educator certificate: Instructional I

Subject to current requirements: PA School Code:  24 PS 11-1108

Two times per year

3 years

Career 2

§   PA professional educator certificate: Instructional I

Meet the basic-level performance standards approved or established by PDE

Yearly

6 years

Career 3

§      PA professional educator certificate:

     Instructional II

Master’s Degree or equivalent; meet basic-level performance standards

Every two years

 None

Career 4

§      PA professional educator certificate:

     Instructional II

Meet the proficient-level performance standards approved or established by PDE

Every two years

None

Career 5

§      PA professional educator certificate:

     Instructional II

Meet the advanced-level performance standards approved or established by PDE

Every three years

None

Career 6

§      PA professional educator certificate:

     Instructional II

Hold national board certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

Every five years

None