A resolution requesting the Metropolitan Board of Public Education and the Director of Schools to establish and implement an incentive pay program for teachers whose students show marked increases in standardized test scores.

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council and the Mayor have demonstrated a strong commitment to public education in the form of increased funding for schools to help increase student performance and achievement; and

WHEREAS, statistics show that approximately twenty percent of new teachers leave the teaching profession within three years due to factors such as low salaries and poor working conditions; and

WHEREAS, in order for a school system to succeed, it must be able to attract and retain the highest quality teachers; and

WHEREAS, as a result of the No Child Left Behind federal mandates, teachers are being asked to show improvements in their student's test scores test scores, yet are provided no financial incentives for the extra work required; and

WHEREAS, performance incentives would greatly assist the Metropolitan Board of Public Education in attracting and retaining qualified teachers, which would likely increase student performance; and

WHEREAS, the Council would likely support providing additional funding for schools if Members of Council were assured that the money was being used to retain the best teachers in the system; and

WHEREAS, in the event the Metropolitan Nashville Education Association is opposed to such an incentive program, efforts could be made to exempt their members from participating in the program; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Board of Public Education, and the Director of Schools work collaboratively to develop an incentive pay program for teachers with a recommended payment of $300 for each percentage point of improvement in test scores over the previous year.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting the Metropolitan Board of Public Education and the Director of Schools to establish and implement an incentive pay program for teachers whose students show marked increases in standardized test scores.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a certified copy of this Resolution to the Mayor, to each member of the Board of Public Education, and to the Director of Schools.

Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Eric Crafton