ED Announces $290 Million In TIF Grants

ED's announcement of a new round of Teacher Incentive Fund grants to 35 districts across the country generated dozens of reports across the country, mostly on the local level. Coverage is generally positive in tone. The AP (9/28) reports that ED "is awarding $290 million in grants to reward top teachers and boost opportunities for teachers who work in impoverished schools," noting that ED "says the funds will flow to almost 1,000 schools in 18 states plus the District of Columbia. The program is intended to encourage school districts to incentivize good teaching through faculty evaluations and performance-based pay. Some of the grants focus on science and math teachers, which President Barack Obama has said is a top priority." The piece notes that Education Secretary Arne Duncan stressed the need for quality educators.

 

DC To Use Grants For Principal Merit Pay.The Washington Post (9/28, Brown) reports, "DC Public Schools officials plan to offer performance raises to principals and assistant principals who score well on annual evaluations, expanding the merit pay system already in place for teachers." The Post notes that the grants would be funded through DC's $62 million portion of the TIF allocation, "the largest of 35 such awards announced Thursday." The Post reports that the TIF program is "meant to encourage pay-for-performance initiatives in the nation's schools," adding that "DCPS was among the first school systems in the country to link teacher pay and job security with students' performance on standardized tests."

The Washington Examiner (9/28) reports that DC schools officials say they are "planning to base principals' and assistant principals' salaries on their performance evaluations, a salary structure currently reserved for teachers and other school-based employees."

 

Detroit Turnaround District Tapped For $35 Million.The Detroit Free Press (9/28, Higgins) reports that Michigan's state-wide turnaround district, the Educational Achievement Authority of Michigan, "has been awarded a two-year, $5.9 million grant that will help the state reform district provide incentives for great teaching and school leadership." The Free Press explains that the "grant amount reflects the first two years of funding. The total grant amount of $35 million over five years is contingent upon congressional approval, according to a press release from the USDE."

 

Los Angeles To Share Grant With Charter Networks.The Los Angeles Daily News (9/28) reports that the Los Angeles Unified School District and "three local charter school networks" will share a five-year, $49.2 million TIF grant. "LAUSD will use the money to develop and implement a performance-based pay system, for educator training and to recruit science, math and technology teachers to 40 high-needs schools. Superintendent John Deasy learned of the award during a meeting with education leaders in Washington, DC."