Performance Pay - Skill Blocks Program
Overview
The
goal of the skill blocks is to provide incentives for teachers who
acquire, apply and demonstrate skills which support the goals of the
school district. Skill blocks are practical and/or innovative skills
that teachers acquire and demonstrate in their classrooms. They are
not intended to replace professional development activities, but,
instead, to augment those programs.The Skill Blocks program will be
governed by the Skill Blocks Advisory Committee which will consist
of three teachers appointed by the Union, two administrators, and
one community member chosen by the District, and a liaison from the
Staff Development Department.
A. Skill Blocks Types
District
Selected Skill Blocks
The Skill Blocks Advisory Committee will identify skills which
support the goals of the district through regularly conducted
teacher needs assessments and a review of current educational
research. Assessments will be developed by the district which define
the required standards for demonstration of the skills. Training
will be provided to support acquisition of the skills.
Skills blocks which are currently
available to teachers are:
- Assessment Skill Blocks I -
Performance Assessment
- Assessment Skills Block 2 - Bodies
of Evidence
Skills blocks to be added in January,
1998:
- Differentiation of Instruction
- Internet
- Honoring Diversity
Open Skill
Blocks
An individual teacher, team or school could write a proposal
identifying skill blocks which will enhance performance in an area
other than those identified by the district. The skill level
attained must represent ones not possessed at the time of the
proposal, that is, it represents a significant new acquisition. The
supervisor and staff development department will approve or
disapprove the proposal; the Professional Growth Committee (see
negotiated agreement) will serve as an appeals board.
The person or group submitting the
proposal must include a performance assessment with the proposal
which defines the standard and the criteria for assessment.
B. Implementation of
the Skill Blocks
Acquisition
of Skills
The District will provide training to support the acquisition of
skills. Any source of the skills acquisition identified in the skill
blocks is acceptable. Teachers may also acquire the skill through
professional reading, District in-service, college course work,
observation and coaching with a colleague, or any other avenue of
their choosing.
Assessment
of Skills
Rubrics will be developed by the District which define the required
standard for demonstration of the skills. The successful
demonstration of the skill will be in accordance with criteria
developed by the District. The rubrics will define specific
standards so teachers will be informed of the acceptable performance
criteria.
C. Payment
Upon successful demonstration of the
skill as certified by the Staff Development Department, the teacher
will be paid a one-time payment. The payment amount will be
determined jointly by the Union and the District for the attainment
of the skill block based on the nature and complexity of the skill
block. |