(Photo Credit/Project ADVANCE Website)
The debate over education in North Carolina often revolves around how best to pay teachers. While lawmakers discuss options at the state level, local districts are already finding their own solutions.
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools is sending a note home today about its strategy: Project ADVANCE.
The Project will transform teacher compensation in the district. It revolves around competency, using a system of digital badges to signify the progress of teachers learning new skills through professional development. Based on these skills and success in the classroom, teachers will be able to make more money. Project ADVANCE will also give teachers opportunities for different roles with extra responsibilities that can yield higher salaries.
“We believe in compensating teachers for their professional growth, effort, leadership, and success,” said District Superintendent Thomas Forcella on Project ADVANCE’s website. “Project ADVANCE has been developed by educators, for educators, to specifically accomplish this objective.”
One of the biggest complaints about the traditional model of teacher compensation is that there is little room for advancement beyond moving into administration. Project ADVANCE sidesteps that by creating new opportunities for teachers without necessarily taking them out of the classroom.
Right now, PROJECT ADVANCE is an idea, but come August 2016 when it’s implemented it will become reality. You can prepare for it by checking out the website here.
