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Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced that the International Falls Public School District will implement Minnesota's nation-leading Q Comp performance and professional pay program. International Falls will be the 17th district in the state to participate and will receive $348,400 in state aid and local revenues for implementation in the 2006-07 school year. "This program is about fairly compensating teachers for good work and student achievement, not just seniority," Governor Pawlenty said. "Q Comp rewards quality teaching and will help keep good teachers in the classroom by paying them in a more professional way. I applaud the International Falls school district, school board and its teachers for pursuing this important and meaningful education reform." Last year, Governor Pawlenty proposed and the state legislature approved Minnesota's Q Comp program. Q Comp provides up to $86 million for districts that join the program over the next two years. Q Comp is designed to advance the teaching profession by providing structured professional development and evaluation, as well as an alternative pay schedule that compensates teachers based on performance. The program brings together career advancement, professional development and compensation linked to academic achievement. It includes a locally agreed upon peer evaluation process for every teacher that is based on skills, responsibilities and student academic growth. This plan is voluntary and will add another $260 per student in participating districts. The Q Comp program gives participating school districts the flexibility to meet local needs within a comprehensive model of improved teaching and learning. In International Falls, the district administration and teachers representatives have agreed to the following: Career ladder and career advancement opportunities: The career ladder includes five positions, which require the lead teachers to maintain a primary role as a teacher with additional duties and compensations. These positions are: Learning Team Leader - Facilitates Learning Team meetings, evaluates progress made by other Learning Team members, recommends site goals to the Quality Oversight Team, and has a great focus and responsibility on professional development. This position provides a $1,500 stipend. "Governor Pawlenty's Q Comp initiative recognizes critical topics that must be addressed if public education in Minnesota is to meet its obligation to our citizens. International Falls Public Schools looks at the Governor's vision as a requirement for us to focus on how we are to work together as professional educators to enhance student educational opportunity, increase student academic performance, and recognize the need to assess traditional compensation models," International Falls Superintendent Don Langan said. "Our Q Comp project emphasized creating a collaborative professional model that promotes and requires the faculty and staff to collectively recognize each professional's contribution to the goal of increasing student achievement." International Falls Public Schools has 1,318 students enrolled in K-12 programs. The school district operates a single campus containing Falls Elementary with grades K, 3-6; Falls High School with grades 7-12, and West End Elementary that occupies a wing of Falls High School with grades 1 and 2. The school district employs 168 full time and part-time licensed and non-licensed staff. Minneapolis, Hopkins, St. Francis, Mounds View, St. Cloud, Alexandria, Fridley, La Crescent-Hokah and Marshall started implementing the Q Comp program during the 2005-06 school year. Grand Meadow, Albert Lea, Alden-Conger, Brainerd, Wayzata, Eden Prairie, Red Rock Central and International Falls school districts will begin implementing during the 2006-07 school year. Approximately 134 school districts have indicated to the Department of Education they are planning to submit an application for the 2006-07 and 2007-08 school years. |