To:

Members, Board of Education

From:

Maurice O. Green, Superintendent
Beth Folger, Chief Academic Officer
Peggy H. Thompson, Chief Human Resources Officer

Date:

November 26, 2008

RE:

Attracting and Retaining High Quality / High Performing Teachers to Low Performing Schools

Data suggest that teacher quality is the key determinant in providing high student achievement.  Attracting and retaining high quality teachers to low performing schools is a challenge, particularly in urban settings.  

Staff has presented the details of a research proposal at a special called meeting of the Guilford County Board of Education on November 19, 2008.  This research proposal provides differentiated compensation to high quality/ high performing teachers who agree to be assigned to low performing schools. Schools will be identified using composite scores and factoring other variables such as proficiency. Teachers are identified using Value-Added Data.

Responses to questions asked during and following the meeting are covered in the attached document.

RECOMMENDATION:  The administration recommends that the board approve the piloting of this differentiated compensation proposal to high quality teachers in identified low performing schools.

Attachment #1 - Responses to Questions Raised During and After the November 19 Special Called Meeting
Attachment #2 - Mathematica Background
Attachment #3 - Presentation