Published the week of 10/2/05

Imagine teachers and principals crying because they are so happy. With tears streaming down, a twenty-six year veteran of public school teaching explains: "We've had plenty of criticism over the last 20 years. But this is the first time that anyone ever rewarded us for progress."

That experience earlier this year helps convince me that Minnesota's new pay for improved student performance program, called "Q Comp", is definitely worth trying. That's my conclusion, having listened to skeptics and advocates. Let's start with experience. With support from Cargill, the Center for School Change, where I work, spent the last five years working with 10 urban, and one suburban school. All served at least 60% low-income students. Many had high percentages of single parent homes, students who did not speak English, and families of color minorities.

Achievement and family involvement was low at all these schools. Over the last five years we did several things:

• Instituted a plan in which the schools would be rewarded financially, if they showed improved student achievement and increased family involvement.
• Help each of the 11 schools develop explicit, measurable goals in both areas ¿ goals like increasing by at least 15% the percentage of students passing Minnesota¿s 8th grade reading test, or increasing by at least 20% the number of students making a year¿s worth of progress on a nationally-normed test, and increasing by 25% the number of families attending evening conferences
• Held workshops to help schools develop plans, and gave them $35,000 to carry out those plans.

The results were very encouraging. Seven of the 11 schools made both academic and family involvement goals, and received $11,000. All eleven schools reached their family involvement goals, and received a financial reward for that.

Teachers and principals were not used to setting measurable goals. After some struggle, they liked the idea. They did not stop teaching music or other arts. Every participating school reported that focus was valuable.

At the end of the project, Cargill CEO Warren Staley met with teachers, principals and parents from the participating schools. He praised them for their hard work, and their progress. Then he handed out the reward checks.

I wish EVERY Minnesota public school educator had the opportunity to participate in something like this. So I think Governor Tim Pawlenty and Commissioner Alice Seagren were right on to promote Q-Comp.

Both district and charter public schools are eligible.

Cynics ask, ¿What happens when state money runs out,¿ or ¿how can we reward teachers working with troubled kids?¿ State dollars can be used to help districts adapt and then ultimately, refine how other state and property taxes are used. Goals can be developed for ALL kinds of students, not just the gifted. Schools and districts can, within guidelines, develop programs that make sense for them.

As the veteran teacher concluded at Cargill, ¿it is time to reward people for progress.¿