Pilot program dispenses more than $3.2 million on bonus payments to Dallas ISD staff members

by PegNews wire

Approximately 1,250 staff members in the Dallas Independent School District received cash awards in their paycheck today, some as much as $10,000 apiece, courtesy of a pilot program to reward effectiveness in the classroom. All totaled, Dallas ISD staff members split more than $3.2 million. The awards ranged from $625 to $10,000.

“These dedicated individuals deserve these awards for the many academic improvements that are taking place in Dallas ISD,” said Superintendent of Schools Michael Hinojosa. “When this grant is implemented districtwide this school year, expect even more teachers and support staff to receive these significant financial awards.”

Fifty-nine district campuses were selected to participate in the initial pilot project of a $22 million Teacher Incentive Fund grant provided by the U. S. Department of Education. Schools that were chosen to participate were the campuses with the most academic challenges, according to performance the previous year on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills. Sixty-four professional employees at South Oak Cliff High School received a total of $214,000, the most in the district. 32 support employees at South Oak Cliff, including administrative assistants, custodians and food service staff, received awards of $750 apiece, bringing the total additional compensation for staff at the school to $238,000, the most of any campus in Dallas ISD. Ten teachers at Jimmie Tyler Brashear will have an especially happy holiday season as they received the maximum award of $10,000 apiece. All totaled, 18 teachers from 4 different schools received the $10,000 award.

The awards are based on the district’s Classroom Effectiveness Index (CEI) or School Effectiveness Index (SEI) percentiles. CEIs measure the annual performance of students against other classes with similar socioeconomic backgrounds and previous academic results. Individual core teachers could earn between $2,000 and $8,000 based on CEIs. All other teachers and professional staff could earn between $1,250 and $2,000 based on the school’s SEI percentile. Campus support staff at the pilot campuses were eligible to receive between $625 and $1,000 based on the school’s SEI.

Teachers at the 59 pilot schools were required to opt-in in order to be eligible to receive the awards. The Teacher Incentive Fund grant will go into effect in all district schools during the current school year with bonuses to be awarded in December 2009.

Source: DISD

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