Leaders of the Denver Public Schools and the Denver Classroom Teachers Association found much to applaud in the study of the DPS-DCTA Pay for Performance Pilot released today by the Community Training & Assistance Center (CTAC) of Boston.

“The study found that setting high quality instructional objectives is positively linked to student achievement,” noted Jerry Wartgow, superintendent of Denver Public Schools. “We are encouraged that the CTAC report affirms the direction the district and the association are taking in designing a teacher compensation system that incorporates objective setting and rewards teachers, in part, on student achievement measured against these objectives.”

Becky Wissink, president of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association, said, “Completion of the CTAC study keeps a promise to our members. When we entered the pilot in 1999, we worked to ensure that the pilot would be evaluated on a scientific basis. Their rigorous study not only validates objective-setting, it illustrates the difficulty of tying teacher compensation to student achievement and the need for multiple measures when compensation decisions are made.

“CTAC’s work and the experience of the Pay for Performance Pilot teachers, administrators and the Design Team also shaped our decision to work for a teacher compensation system that allows teachers to build salary through three major components in addition to student growth,” Wissink added.

Another study finding was that the collaboration of DPS and DCTA in running the pilot has helped the district address significant educational reform issues. “I appreciate the leadership demonstrated by the Denver Classroom Teachers Association in collaborating on the Pay for Performance Pilot,” Wartgow said. “Their willingness to partner with Denver Public Schools on a controversial topic enabled us to gain new insights on what works to improve student achievement.”

Wissink added, “The pilot has given us valuable new tools - such as the OASIS system for retrieving student assessment data - that help teachers better serve students. It was hard work launching the pilot and keeping it going over four years. We are committed to continuing the difficult work of retooling district systems to assist teachers in meeting the needs of students in the 21st century.”

For more information, contact Peggy Gonder at 303-321-3465 or the Denver Public Schools Public Information Office at 720-423-3414.