Ben Feller reported yesterday that the U.S. Department of Education is handing out money for teachers who raise student test scores. This is the first Federal effort to reward classroom performance with bonuses. The deadline for filing a letter of intent to apply was June 15, 2006.

Using the old-fashioned incentive of cash, (this) program encourages schools to set up pay scales that reward some teachers and principals more than others. Those rewards are to be based mainly on test scores, but also on classroom evaluations during the year.

This program supports efforts to develop and implement performance-based teacher and principal compensation systems in high-need schools.

Margaret Spellings, Education Secretary, made a $5.5 million presentation Monday for Ohio. Announcements about more of the 16 grant awards totally $42 million and covering many states are expected in the next week.

This Teacher Incentive Program is authorized in P.L. 109-149 -- the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006.


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