Background and Funding Information for Chicago TAP
In November 2006, Chicago Public Schools
(CPS) received a $27.5 million, five-year grant from the U.S.
Department of Education (DOE) to launch an ambitious
professional compensation and support program.
It was called Recognizing Excellence in Academic
Leadership/Teacher Advancement Program (REAL/TAP). To date,
it is the largest competitive federal grant received by CPS.
The grant, secured with strategic leadership assistance
from the Joyce Foundation and The Chicago Public Education Fund
(The Fund), recommended customizing a national compensation
model to the specific needs of Chicago schools.
The REAL/TAP pilot program, now called Chicago TAP, is based on the National Institute for Excellence in Teachings (NIET) proven school-improvement model. Its mission is comprised of two parts: to increase student achievement by helping teachers and principals enhance their professional skills, and to make teaching a more attractive and rewarding career choice.
Eligible schools have at least 75 percent of their students receiving free or reduced-price lunch and at least 75 percent of their faculty must vote to participate. Schools also are evaluated for eligibility based on their need and readiness, with contributing criteria including teacher qualifications, experience and turnover; student attendance and achievement; and leadership capacity.
The program includes performance based compensation, classroom observations, job-embedded professional development and school-based career opportunities for teachers and principals. Chicago TAP expands on the national model by including all adults in the building, not only the educators, as eligible for compensation.
Evaluation
The evaluation of Chicago TAP is
multi-faceted and includes several approaches to program
evaluation. Mathematica Policy Research Inc.(Mathematica),
a vendor research firm external to the district is conducting an
independent, impact evaluation study using both experimental and
quasi-experimental methods; and an internal program evaluator at
Chicago Public Schools is conducting a more formative,
implementation – or process – evaluation. In addition, NIET
conducts an Annual Review to assess the implementation of the
program. Also, in
accordance with the Joint Council’s recommendation, Chicago TAP
implemented a school-level program evaluation process, conducted
at the school-level by the assigned Instructional Specialists,
and referred to as the Principal Benchmark Check list process.
Joint Council
The program is governed by a Joint Council, comprised of representatives from CPS management, Chicago TAP schools, the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), The Chicago Principals and Administrators Associations (CPAA), and The Chicago Public Education Fund (The Fund). The Joint Council promotes TAPs mission, develop policies, and to provide general oversight to the implementation effort.
Read the MOU between CPS and CTU
Read Mathematica's Year 1 Impact Report
Read Mathematica's Year 2 Impact Report
Funding
Chicago TAP receives federal funding in the amount of $27.5 million as a five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education. In addition, local funding support includes $727,000 from The Chicago Public Education Fund, $2.6 million from The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation and $1.2 million from the Joyce Foundation. The District has committed an additional $8.4 million.
