Guilford County Schools: Mission Possible

Guilford County Schools (Guilford County, North Carolina):

Mission Possible is a five year plan designed to to retain and recruit a highly qualified staff who work together to increase student achievement. It began in November 2006 when only one of the schools made AYP in 2004-2005. To measure the schools participating in the program, Mission Possible will use value-added data to measure student achievement.

Prior to Mission Possible, Guilford County schools implemented funding for 20 schools to differentiate the salaries of technical teachers, beginning teachers, and special education teachers. In addition, North Carolina awards principals and teachers a $750 bonus if students show one year's growth and $1500 if they achieve higher than that. This, along with the Teacher Incentive Fund grant for more than $1.5 million will allow the participating schools money for teacher and administrative incentives.

Does this plan meet the design elements from our last meeting?

Design #1: Ongoing, Job-Embedded Professional Development--yes
Design #2: Performance-Based Compensation--yes and no(YES, through value-added data, AYP, and state ABC standards; NO, not all teachers are eligible for these incentives.)
Design Element #3: Evaluation Based on Professional Standards--yes (360 degree feedback and skill-based training, SERVE Center in NC will conduct the evaluation, providing both formative and summative evaluations.)
Design Element #4: Career Advancement Options--unsure (Program states that it will support "significant professional development opportunities".)