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FAQs
Up one levelWhat is TAP?
TAP stands for Teacher Advancement Program and is made up of four key elements: 1. Multiple Career Paths 2. Ongoing Applied Professional Growth 3. Instructionally Focused Accountability 4. Pay for Performance Awards
What are the responsibilities of Master and Mentor teachers?
Master teachers are released from regular teaching responsibilities for a minimum of 70% of each day to support the growth and development of other teachers. They oversee all Cluster meetings and they coach and evaluate other teachers.
What kind of professional development do TAP teachers receive?
TAP's ongoing applied professional growth calls on teachers to become active agents of their own improvement. Each teacher works in cooperation with his or her Mentor and Master teachers to develop an Individual Growth Plan (IGP).
How is teacher performance measured under this system?
The Teacher Advancement Program measures teacher performance and student learning in three ways:
How can you fairly measure a teacher’s impact on student growth when so many students move in and out of the schools/classrooms during the year?
How does performance pay work?
Eagle County Schools pay teachers based on performance in the classroom and financially rewards top teachers. Teachers who qualify for a performance award are paid a lump sum bonus in the fall.
What role does the Milken Family Foundation play in this? How much do we pay them each year?
The Milken Family Foundation developed TAP and has provided professional development for our Master and Mentor teachers as well as for our Administrators. We only pay for the trainers travel expenses and there is no charge from the Foundation for the trainers time.
Why would you take your best teachers out of the classroom to be Master and Mentor teachers?
The very best teachers throughout the district can have a greater impact on the achievement of all students by sharing best teaching practices and coaching with other teachers so that all our teachers’ skills are improved.
Is TAP taking away programs like art, music and PE?
Each building is given a number of Full Time Equivalents (FTEs), or employees, based on the number of students enrolled in their school.
Is it true that teachers are leaving the district because of TAP?
Overall, teacher turnover has decreased since TAP was implemented. Turnover has decreased from a high of 15 percent in 2000-01 to 9 percent in 2004-05.
Is it true that teachers are making less money now than they were before TAP?
To answer this question, the first five TAP buildings were analyzed since they have the longest history. Career teachers who are meeting student growth and evaluation expectations are making on average 9 percent more than under the lock step schedule when bonus and salary increases are included.
How can you judge a teacher by student performance when students are at such different levels coming in?
Student achievement is measured using the Northwest Evaluation Assessment based on a fall/spring comparison. Using a value-added calculation, each student’s growth is tracked over time to show gains made above their historical growth and other student’s nationally normed performance.
Is it true that only teachers of reading and math are rewarded for student achievement? Is this fair to teachers of other subjects?
Teachers say they are afraid to speak out or they will lose their jobs. Is this true?
No Eagle County Schools teacher has ever lost their job for speaking out against a policy or program. Since the district first implemented TAP in 2002, several program changes have been made as a result of teacher input.
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