FAQs

1. How are schools selected to participate in the Chicago Teacher Advancement Program (Chicago TAP)?

Schools are selected through an application process during which they are evaluated on their need and readiness, with contributing criteria including teacher qualifications, experience and turnover, student attendance and achievement and leadership capacity. In order for schools to be eligible for the program they must have at least 75 percent of their students receiving free- or reduced-price lunch and evidence that at least 75 percent of their faculty voted to participate.

2. What schools are participating in Chicago TAP?

Cohort 1: 2007-2008

Cameron Elementary School, 1234 N. Monticello Ave.
Gresham Elementary School, 8524 S. Green*
Lawndale Community Academy, 3500 W. Douglas Blvd.
LEARN Charter School, 1132 S. Homan St.
McCorkle Elementary School, 4421 S. State St.
Multicultural Arts High School, 3120 S. Kostner
Sumner Academy, 4320 W. Fifth Ave.
Telpochcalli Elementary School, 2832 W. 24th Blvd.*
Wells Preparatory School, 244 E. Pershing Rd.
Westcott Elementary School, 409 W. 80th St.

*Exited from Chicago TAP

Cohort 2: 2008-2009

A. O. Sexton Elementary School, 6020 S. Langley Ave.
CICS-West Belden Campus, 2245 N. McVicker Ave.
Coonley Elementary School, 4046 N. Leavitt
Dodge Renaissance Academy, 2651 W. Washington Blvd.
Harold Washington Elementary School, 9130 S. University Ave.
Kohn Elementary School, 10414 S. State St.
Medill Elementary School, 1301 W. 14th St.*
Park Manor Elementary School, 7037 S. Rhodes Ave.
Robert H. Lawrence Elementary School, 9928 S. Crandon Ave.
School of Technology High School, 7529 S. Constance Ave.

*Exited from Chicago TAP

Cohort 3: 2009-2010:

Avalon Park Elementary, 2945 N. Sawyer Avenue
Deneen Elementary, 7240 S. Wabash Avenue
Fiske Elementary, 6145 S. Ingleside Avenue
Gillespie Technology, Magnet 9301 S. State Street
Lewis Elementary, 1431 N. Leamington Avenue
Randolph Elementary, 7316 S. Hoyne Avenue
Laura Ward Elementary, 410 N. Monticello Avenue
Whistler Elementary, 11533 S. Ada Street
Harper High School, 6520 S. Wood Street
Catalyst Circle Rock, 5608 W. Washington Blvd
Williams Multiplex, 2710 S. Dearborn Street
Williams Preparatory, 2710 S. Dearborn Street

Cohort 4: 2010-2011:

Brunson Elementary, 932 N. Central Avenue
Burnside Scholastic School, 650 East 91st Place
Fulton Elementary, 5300 S. Hermitage Avenue
Henson Elementary, 1326 S. Avers Avenue
O’Toole Elementary, 6550 S. Seeley Avenue
Parkside Community Academy, 6938 S. East End Avenue
Pickard Elementary, 2301 W. 21st Place
Ryder Math and Science Academy, 8716 S. Wallace Street
Uplift High School, 900 W. Wilson Avenue
CICS Basil Campus, 1816 W. Garfield Blvd

3. How does Chicago TAP help increase student achievement?

Research shows the most important school-related factor in student achievement is having a high-quality teacher in the classroom. Chicago TAP helps educators focus on academics and better teaching techniques, building upon the foundation of the school's instructional program - state academic standards, curriculum and testing.

4. How does this program motivate teachers?

All educators pursue classroom teaching with the intent and motivation to help all students learn, but they often are not provided with the tools and support system to meet those goals. Chicago TAP provides ongoing applied professional development sessions for all teachers, offering frequent opportunities to collaborate and share "best practices" with colleagues.

Under the Chicago TAP system, outstanding teachers also can earn higher salaries and advance professionally, just as in other careers. And they do it without leaving the classroom, where they are needed most. Chicago TAP provides the opportunities for teachers to pursue increased responsibilities and leadership positions in the format of lead or mentor teachers. As a lead or mentor teacher, a selected individual becomes TAP-certified and is trained to coach teachers and monitor progress of the TAP school plan.

5. What kind of professional development do Chicago TAP teachers receive?

Chicago TAP's ongoing applied professional growth calls on teachers to become active agents of their own improvement. Each teacher works in cooperation with lead or mentor teachers to develop an Individual Growth Plan (IGP). As well, each belongs to a professional learning group called a cluster group. Lead and mentor teachers within the school lead these cluster sessions, which focus on teacher collaboration for instructional improvement. Both IGP and cluster group work help teachers meet student learning needs by connecting research-based, data-driven best practices to daily classroom instruction. Both types of sessions are embedded in the school's daily schedule.

6. How will performance pay work? How are salaries determined in this program? Why is this program better than giving teachers a salary raise across the board?

Chicago TAP offers performance-based compensation. This compensation is determined by established objective criteria, including classroom observations and student achievement gains. All performance-based compensation is above and beyond a teacher, principal or school staff’s salary. The system rewards teachers for measurable improvements in their teaching skills and student performance.

Lead Teachers receive a stipend of $15,000 and Mentor Teachers receive a stipend of $7,000 above and beyond base compensation. These stipends reflect additional roles and responsibilities of Lead and Mentor teachers, and are non-pensionable.

Year 1 of Implementation

All teachers are eligible for an average bonus award of $2,000 based on school-wide value-added student achievement gains and the average scores earned on multiple observations of classroom teaching using the Chicago TAP skills, knowledge and responsibilities standards
Administrators are eligible for an maximum bonus award of $5,000 based on based on school-wide value-added student achievement gains, and fidelity of TAP implementation
All other school staff are eligible for a maximum bonus award of $500 based on school-wide value-added student achievement gains

Years 2-4 of Implementation

All teachers are eligible for an average bonus award of $4,000 based on school-wide and classroom value-added student achievement gains, and the average scores earned on multiple observations of classroom teaching using the Chicago TAP skills, knowledge and responsibilities standards
Administrators are eligible for an maximum bonus award of $5,000 based on based on school-wide value-added student achievement gains, and fidelity of TAP implementation
All other school staff are eligible for a maximum bonus award of $1,000 based on school-wide value-added student achievement gains

7. Many factors outside the classroom affect student learning. How does Chicago TAP provide teachers with equal opportunity to earn bonuses?

Chicago TAP is based on the premise that all children can learn, regardless of external factors and socioeconomic conditions. That is why classroom gains are measured through "value-added" growth, rather than reaching a specific attainment level. This means that regardless of where their students start the year academically, teachers are evaluated and rewarded based upon how much their students improve, not by the percentage of students that "meet" or "exceed" on standardized tests.

8. How are teachers selected for leadership roles?

Applicants go through a rigorous selection process that includes meeting basic qualifications and demonstrating expertise in learning and instruction, curriculum development, assessment and leadership. Applicants are also expected to have a record of demonstrated student achievement. A staffing committee with representatives from the partner organizations and teachers participates in the selection process to create a pool of teachers qualified for leadership roles. Cohort principals then make the final selections from the pool of qualified candidates.

9. How do teachers' unions feel about Chicago TAP?

The Chicago Teacher's Union is an integral partner in Chicago TAP and has helped shape the program to ensure its success in Chicago Public Schools. Because Chicago TAP is focused on giving teachers more opportunities to be supported, challenged and rewarded for their performance, the CTU supports it. Read the MOU between CPS and CTU.

10. What can people do to join Chicago TAP or learn more about the program?

For more information email ChicagoTAP@cps.k12.il.us.

11. What happens after the five-year pilot ends in Chicago?

The goal is demonstrable successes that will motivate additional funding from public and private sources to continue the program and expand Chicago TAP to additional schools.

12. What is different in Chicago TAP from the national TAP model?

Chicago TAP is a customized version of the TAP model developed to be successful specifically in Chicago. In Chicago TAP, all school staff are eligible to receive performance-compensation rewards because we believe all adults in a school have an impact on student learning.

13. What kind of support is available for schools participating in the program?

Schools are given proven processes and tools to structure and drive instructional change and student achievement. Chicago TAP schools have the opportunity to participate in continuous training such as summits, monthly lead and mentor teacher meetings, bi-monthly principals meetings and on-site support and coaching from TAP national trainers and the local team. There are also national summits and conferences that provide participating principals and schools with additional support.

14. What are value-added gains and how does CPS use them to determine a school's TAP performance level?

Please refer to this document for answers about value-added gains.