The problem of equal access to good teachers for all students has been well documented and publicized. The No Child Left Behind Act started the requirements for analysis and reporting of teacher credentials that have shown a bright light on this issue. Now the Obama administration is continuing the focus on this problem through its goals for education reform and stimulus funding.
But how can a school district persuade teachers to move to tougher assignments in low-performing schools? Will money work? And, if so, how much? No one knows the answer yet but Dallas and Houston are both upping the ante to get more teachers to make the move.
In 2007, Dallas ISD began offering its best teachers $6,000 to move to its lowest-performing schools. Only 65 educators accepted the offer that year, and not much change is expected for 2008 when results are tallied. In addition, a state review of low-performing schools cited a lack of experienced, certified teachers in schools which will face closure or overhaul if scores don’t rise soon. As a result, DISD will raise the offer to $10,000 next year. To alleviate concerns teachers may have about risking their job security, the district will also give those who agree to move two-year contracts and hold them harmless from any potential downgrades in their performance review.
Houston ISD will be offering the same incentive—$10,000 per year—for teachers willing to make a two-year commitment to teach at a struggling campus. The HISD Talent Transfer Initiative program is part of a federally funded study that will initially apply only to math and English teachers in grades 4–8. The study will examine the question of whether good teachers can get similar results with a different population. Eligible teachers must have a two-year record of improving student test scores. High performing teachers who already work in the targeted campuses will receive $5,000 a year as a retention stipend.
Will larger incentives work? Some say that no amount of money will get established teachers to move, and that assignment incentives may work with new hires but not with veteran teachers who have grown attached to their campus teams and principals. But who knows? The challenge of distributing teacher talent more equitably is a daunting one. Houston and Dallas help all schools by trying new approaches and sharing what they learn.
—“Dallas ISD ups offer to $10,000 to entice teachers to needy schools,” by Kent Fischer, The Dallas Morning News, April 2, 2009.
—“HISD offering ‘combat pay’ for tough schools,” by Ericka Mellon, Houston Chronicle, March 27, 2009.
