 |
Thursday, September 02, 2010
|
|
 |
|
|
| 9/24/2009 9:47:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article | State applauds, promotes NB Schools Q-Comp program
BY DENISE MARTIN
Teachers in North Branch proved they were willing to learn, when a group of them got together over a year ago to create one of the most effective Q-Comp systems in the state. Quality Compensation, or Q Comp, was created with money appropriated by the state legislature for districts that submit plans to improve instructional quality and student academic outcomes. The plans are approved or rejected by the Minnesota Dept. of Education and the districts submit annual reports.
Dona Yetter, North Branch's Q Comp Districtwide Advisor, said in the first full year, last year, of implementing the Q Comp plan the district saw some gains way beyond what was projected under the goals of the plan.
Supt. Dr. Deb Henton added that North Branch got recognition from the state for the crafting of its plan and implementation, as well as in assessing performance. North Branch was reclassified for this year from a Tier One Q Comp district to a Tier Two Q Comp district by the state department of education.
Henton was very complimentary of Yetter and the teachers involved for their work.
Yetter notes that when staff voted originally whether to enlist in Q Comp or not, the support level was 69 percent of instructors. In the renewal authorization vote for the 2009-2010 school year it was 79 percent. "There's support for what's being done and what's capable of being done under Q Comp," she stated.
The Quality Compensation program gives monetary rewards to districts with plans providing career ladder advancement, professional development embedded on-the-job, an alternative salary schedule and districts must evaluate teachers.
In North Branch the system was formed with Yetter in the key post for the district. There is one instructional strategies coach, Chas Bettendorf. There are five site advisors including Yetter, who also does the ALC and distance learning programs.
There are 32 Professional Learning Community Leaders.
The North Branch approach is working so well, Yetter explained, because the "chain of command" is clear and indisputable. There are concise proficiency summary details. The most immediate supervisor to an instructor is easily identified in the Q Comp chart of operations.
Q Comp participation in North Branch can mean an extra $2,200 in performance pay per staff member, who meets criteria and goals under the plan.
Yetter said 214 licensed staff were involved in 2008-2009. She estimates 200 will be participating this school year.
For example, staff qualify for $700 if they complete three independent observations of their class teaching skills, and submit written summaries and who complete end of year goals.
Staff also must attend school site meetings and participate in discussion for an additional $400.
A Professional Development Plan must be written and teachers must collaborate with their Leader on successfully meeting goals for student achievement. This makes the instructor eligible for $500.
So, what happened?
Yetter reported that in fall last year 64 percent of North Branch Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) students were meeting or exceeding literacy phonological awareness assessments. In spring 85 percent were doing the same.
Kindergarteners saw an increase in the percentage of students fluent in sound, from 14 percent of those tested in fall to 55 percent in spring.
First Graders met Q Comp goals and Sunrise River School academic growth targets were met, charted through Northwest testing.
High school students were targeted for reading shortcomings. There was an increase of 25 percent in number of grade 10 students who attain proficient status on the MCA II reading test.
Yetter said one unanticipated outcome she attributes to participating in Q Comp is the change in "tone" of meetings of education association members. She said staff are observing colleagues that are not in their department or grade level, bringing teachers out of the box, mixing things up and this is a good thing. Staff are seeking- out data on their students and their school site. There's been over 1,000 hours of job embedded professional development.
The Department of Education selected North Branch as one of three Q Comp districts to sit on a panel discussion, at the Minnesota superintendent's conference late this summer.
|
|
|
|
|