Press Release

Briefing For Governor Owens On Pay For Performance March 22

March 21, 2001

Colorado Gov. Bill Owens will attend a briefing Thursday, March 22, exploring the Denver Public Schools' pay for performance pilot for teachers.

The pilot is a major initiative by DPS and the Denver Classroom Teachers Association to examine the best way to structure teacher salaries in order to improve student achievement.

Other officials including members of the State Board of Education, Denver Board of Education, Colorado Association of School Boards, Colorado Association of School Executives, and the Colorado Education Association are also expected to be in attendance. Representatives of the city's foundation community and DPS principals will also be present.

The hour-long briefing will begin at 9:15 a.m. at Horace Mann Middle School, 4130 Navajo Street. Horace Mann is one of the 15 schools involved in the pay for performance pilot.

Donald Sturm of the Sturm Family Foundation will introduce the briefing. Other panelists include members of the Design Team (the two administrators and two teachers who are overseeing the pilot), Denver Board of Education member Les Woodward, DPS Chief Operating Officer Craig Cook, Tony Lewis (Donnell-Kay Foundation) and Sheila Bugdanowitz (Rose Community Foundation).

Teachers in pay for performance pilot schools are working with their principals on an annual basis to develop two performance objectives for the school year. Pay increases are then provided in a lump sum upon the completion of the objectives.

Three approaches are being tested, including:

1. Objectives based on Iowa Tests of Basic Skills or other district approved standardized tests.
   
2. Objectives based on criterion referenced (teacher developed) tests.
   
3. Objectives based on increased teacher knowledge and skills.

In March of 2000 the Board of Education approved the idea of extending the pilot through the 2002-2003 school year. Final approval of the plan being developed by the Design Team - two administrators and two teachers - is scheduled before December, 2003.