There are lots of very interesting and very exciting elements in the teacher section of Florida's RTT application.
First, this is a startling admission:
Districts reported in 2008-09 that 99.97% of teachers were rated as satisfactory during the 2008-09 school year, while less than 70%??of teachers in reading and mathematics have 50% or more of their students make learning gains across the state.
Second, the state plans to use student performance data in the evaluation of not only teachers and principals but also district-level staff.
Third, another major admission:
Despite significant resources dedicated to some of these programs, no??statistically-significant learning gains have been measured for Florida teachers who hold the National Board certificate as compared??with those who do not, nor do we have significant gains related to teachers' advanced degrees.
Fourth, participating LEAs will make students gains the most significant factor in teacher compensation decisions--ahead of years of experience and advanced degrees.
Fifth, another great fact:
Currently in Florida, our data show that nearly 10% of the Florida teaching population leaves the??profession annually; however, the lowest-performing teachers do not exit at a higher rate than their higher-performing peers.
Sixth, not only will participating districts be required to use student performance in staffing (including termination) decisions, principals and district staff will be help accountable for executing these policies.
The difference between Florida's proposal in this area and, say Connecticut's and California's, is enormous. But Florida's plan is also much bolder than fellow finalist Colorado, which decided to study, plan, and negotiate reforms instead of commit to them
--Andy Smarick