Under the program, four teachers made commitments to increase test scores by 7 to 10 percent in their classrooms on either the Criterion Referenced Competency Test or End of Course Test. In return, they were each given $2,000 for supplies to help carry out their strategy for raising scores. If successful, each teacher is eligible for up to $4,000 in federal funding.
Superintendent Dr. Emily Lembeck said she brought the concept forward two years ago, but no teacher was interested at the time.
"I'm very, very excited about it because it's rewarding teachers for innovating, for thinking outside of the box in order to improve student achievement, and although there are some who have concerns about pay-for-performance or performance incentives, I believe that incentivizing people to be innovative and get better results can be a win-win. It's a win for the teachers and of course a win for the students," Lembeck said.
Each of the four teachers is taking a different approach to meet the challenge of raising test scores. For instance, Marietta High School biology teacher Celis Hartley-Lewis plans to recycle defunct laptop computers with the help of the district's technology department so as to provide each student in her class with their own laptop. Marietta High students have access to computer labs and computer carts, but not their own laptops, said Dr. Margaret Sims, who oversees secondary education for the district.
The laptops, Sims said, will allow the biology class to become paperless. Hartley-Lewis will use her $2,000 federally funded stipend to install software on the renovated laptops that allows them to communicate with her own computer, so students can receive more individualized attention from her.
"I hope that some of these innovations, if successful, can be replicated in other classrooms," Lembeck said.
The other three teachers participating are Julie Schunk, at Marietta Sixth Grade Academy; Thomas Monti, at Marietta Middle School, and Stephanie Howard, from Marietta High School.
Also Tuesday, during the public comment part of the meeting, several parents and organization leaders asked the board to not cut certain programs as the school system faces likely reductions in revenue.
Several parents of Marietta High School students spoke of the importance of the high school's band program. Among them was Elise Goldstein, the incoming co-president of the Marietta Band Association, a parent booster organization.
Bridget MacPherson, whose children attend Hickory Hills, urged the board against making any cuts to the arts program at that elementary school. Attorney Tom Cauthorn, speaking on behalf of the Cobb County Youth Museum, spoke of the 40 year relationship between Marietta City Schools and the museum. Lembeck has proposed cutting $5,000 in field trip money to the youth museum for the FY2011 budget.
Lembeck is also proposing the elimination of 42 jobs, increased class sizes, three furlough days and dipping into the rainy day fund as a way to balance the system's fiscal year 2011 budget. The school board is scheduled to adopt the proposed budget for the district on June 15. Based on anticipated reductions from the state and in local property taxes, Lembeck is estimating a $7 million revenue reduction, or 8.9 percent, of the current FY10 $78.9 million budget.
In other business, the board unanimously approved a $41,345 expenditure for a digital editing system for its sports programs. Marietta High School head football coach Scott Burton said in the past, a coach would record the games on VCR, taking notes by hand to record the various plays in preparation for the next game. The digital editing system, called Digital Sports Video, allows coaches to break down games for analysis, take notes on the video, and make cutups and highlights of individual student athletes to be used for recruitment and enhanced performance, he said.
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MHS won't be a problem for us to beat again this year. I own all his Coaches-choice instructional DVDs and know what he's teaching his players.
BTW if you wanna know what other money he may want to spend...study up!
Wow, that was fast. And fishy.
Considering that the rep from DVS, Mike Roark is not the rep for our region. He's the Eastern region director. The region where Burton was before he came here. Georgia has another rep. Seems this deal was in the works long before anyone actually got hired.
The other bids all came in over 2 weeks later.
Kinda like an afterthought.
Just like DSV's amendment to the original bid that finally included accommodations for basketball and baseball.
Like I said...I hope the coaches can use this software to help them achieve their playoff bonuses and that the increased game attendance due to outstanding players increases their cut of the gate proceeds.
"The Marietta Schools Foundation was incorporated in June 1983 for the purpose of promoting educational achievement and excellence among the students, faculty and staff of the Marietta City Schools. The foundation recognizes and rewards outstanding students, teachers, and administrators, and establishes funding guidelines and procedures in order to respond to the specific needs of teachers and administrators."
Maybe I missed the athletics part....but it seems that the foundation could have found a better use of their contribution portion.
As for all you uninformed bloggers- it's time to get dressed and move out of your mother's basement!!!!
Oh yeah and by the way, our arts teachers have also received technology upgrades this year.
I do know one of the teachers receiving this, and she is an EXCEPTIONAL teacher.