AUGUSTA, Maine — Seventeen schools in six districts across Maine will share nearly $25 million in federal grant money aimed at recognizing and rewarding great teachers and administrators, according to the Maine Department of Education.
The federal grant announced Saturday will be used to improve educator evaluation systems, reward effective teachers and principals and provide greater professional opportunities. Maine is one of two states and 33 school systems or nonprofits to be approved for the latest round of grants in the Maine Schools for Excellence program, which is funded through the U.S. Department of Education’s Teacher Incentive Fund.
The program and grants are aligned with the requirements of an educator effectiveness bill, An Act to Ensure Effective Teaching and School Leadership, which was signed into law following legislative approval in April. The new law requires school districts to develop or adopt teacher and leader evaluation systems designed to provide feedback to teachers and principals from peers, supervisors, students and parents.
“Both administrators and teachers want the same thing: fair and realistic measures for performance, professional development and help in improving teaching skills, and a system that rewards excellent teachers,” said Gov. Paul LePage in a press release. “This will allow more districts to engage in this work and more importantly, help them develop models that other Maine school districts can adopt or adapt for their needs.”
The districts that are to receive the funding are RSU 16 in the Poland area, RSU 19 in the Newport area, Millinocket, Bangor, MSAD 11 in Gardiner and RSU 86 in Fort Fairfield.
Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen said the program is crucial to other efforts by the Department of Education to improve standards, curricula, instruction practices and assessment.
“No other school-based factor is more important to learner outcomes than the effectiveness of teachers and school leaders,” said Bowen. “That’s why this work is so important, and why it’s so important to get it right.”
Participating districts will build performance pay compensation models based on the Maine Schools for Excellence program. Districts will have flexibility in terms of specific incentive amounts and criteria for payouts, according to the press release. Eighteen other schools in five school districts in Maine are already doing similar work through the program.
Every one says that teachers are all ready over paid ?
Good money for a part time job. Bangor teachers average 50k break it down to an hourly and add in benefits . Its more like $45 an hour. Did you make that much working? I bet not .
Teachers are professionals with a minimum of a 6 year college degree. What do you think would be a good pay for them? Keep in mind what you pay at a doctor’s office and even what it would cost you to have your chimney cleaned or even an oil change for your vehicle. How much do you make and what do you do for it?
One difference is that I have the ability to objectively evaluate the performance of my dentist, my chimney cleaner and my oil change technician. My kids teacher however, I am given no access to information about her/him, nor am I ever asked by my experience with them, or more importantly, my child’s experience with them. If teachers were evaluated, and periodically fired if they were bad at their jobs, I might have more sympathy. But they’re not. In fact the bad ones stay forever.
Did you ever think to pick up the phone, walk through the school’s door, email the teacher, etc. I don’t know of any teacher who wouldn’t spend time with a child’s parent to discuss any issues they may have… Oh, and they won’t even charge you an office visit!
After 8 years of having kids in Bangor schools, only 50% of the teachers we’ve had used email at all – the school system does not require them to use it (if you can believe that). I visit and call all the time. What I’d like to be able to do is rate their performance and help to determine whether or not kids in the future should have them.
And, your training in rating performance is … ???
So if you objectively can evaluate all the other professionals in your life, why don’t you take the time to do that with your kids’ teachers? All you have to do is see what they are learning and how they compare with other kids their age. It’s been a long time since I had kids in school, but I think they have to take standardized tests periodically. I also think they have parent-teacher conferences periodically. Do you go to them? None of the reasons you gave sound valid to me to cut teachers’ pay. I think they have one of the most important jobs in the State with a lot of responsibility. Look what happened in Chicago. Teachers went on strike and all the complaints were that parents lost their babysitter.
If my oil change guy stinks, I go somewhere else. Same with my dentist and chimney cleaner. But the teacher, I’m stuck with her/him. And so are all the other kids and parents behind me, at least until we have a legitimate evaluation process in place.
You can always home school your kids. There are many who do that but I have a feeling that if you won’t take the time to get to know your children’s teachers, you probably won’t want to take time for that.
I can think of one 2 teachers at Abraham Lincoln school But have last names that start with F.
I was making what a teacher makes before the economy went down hill. Partly my fault I refuse to travel. That being said I worked many more hours than MOST teachers . No pension plans . No sick days. We are not going to for get no benefits .
If the job is so great how come you aren’t one? Oh, may be it’s the college degree, the grad school, the long hours (yes, most teachers work long hours and many more days than YOU think), the politics you have to play, the low starting pay (30K in this state after spending $$$ for a 4 year degree), being treated like a criminal (background checks every 5 years), or just maybe because you don’t like treatment of you receive from the people you serve.
I realize that it may have been a long time since you looked for a job, but $30K for a job that requires a 4 year degree is great pay right now. Entry level jobs for people with four year degrees are currently running $11-$14/hr in the private sector. And nobody is being hired full time.
And what planet are you on ?
Earth State of Maine.
Maybe being a slow learner in all was told at an early age makes it difficult. Thinking back at the lies my teachers have told starting with Columbus ending with PSY101 IQ tends to hold a constant BS. I could not deal with the politics I would have been fired for telling the truth as I see it. I will never learn to wright or spell. I would care to bet I would put 75% of teachers to shame with my ability to do math . Not to bad for a kid who had an IQ in the high 70s (told my mother I was borderline retarded). I could not be part of a game that is part of social class system . IE. count homework more than test scores when they know not all kids are on a level playing field . I do not claim to be smart . Lets take a look at who I scored on my state of Maine professional Lic compared to the average to year degree student . You will find I did better than most. Not bad for a slow learner . I would not get along with some coworkers very well. The ones who Blame parents. Yes thier job is more difficult. But isn’t blaming parent what most drunks and drug addict do? I might be a good teacher but trust me i would make too many waves . I even substituted a few times .
You are correct about $45 an hour if you take into account the 7:45-3:00 day. Anyone who has ever taught before would know that no teacher can work those hours. I am a teacher and arrive at school EVERYDAY at 6:30 and do not leave until 4:00 most days, but the work doesn’t stop there. Many hours at night and A LOT of hours spent on week-ends. Oh but what about summers off? I know that most of my colleagues spend numerous hours throughout the summer preparing curricula for our students and cleaning out classrooms etc. The list can go on and on, but please do not bash teachers if you are completely unaware of what is required of teachers.
The idea of teacher’s burning the midnight oil is largely a myth perpetuated by the teachers union. The reality is that teachers in Maine almost universally say in their jobs for their entire careers. And for good reason – they are guaranteed to be off every holiday, every weekend, every summer – unlike virtually every other job on the planet. Good gig, if you can get it.
ignorance, plain ignorance. Live with a teacher or an Educational Assistance and just see all they do. Last night I watched a bus full of student return from an event and who was on that bus a TEACHER way past when the student got out at 3pm.
You write some of the best posts everyday-I enjoy them.However you are really way off on your assessment of teachers-way off. The average young teacher stays 3 years and leaves the profession-check it.
Not in Bangor they don’t – you’re looking at national statistics which don’t hold up here. The local scene is very different – there is a lot of turn over in surrounding communities, as most area teachers are looking to score a position in Bangor. Once they happens, they stay.
Consider yourself luck they arn’t looking out of State! If I was a young teacher and looking for work, I wouldn’t even have Maine on my list after the way LePage has treated them.
Believe me – we’d be better of without some of the teachers that I’ve run into in Bangor. There are some real lemons out there. There are also some good ones.
I met a few that do not belong teaching some real good ones to . Off the record teachers I know personally will tell you the politics make it hard.
You have GOT to be kidding, right?
I would love for you to take some time and follow a teacher for a week and let me know what you think at the end of that week. The other thing you mentioned about teachers staying until they retire….well for one, it is really rewarding to see the success in our young students. Noting is more rewarding when students come back to your class and let you know how much your classes have helped them succeed in college or in the work force. As for staying until I retire? I honestly think I will burn out WAY before my retirement time.
Ignore Bangorian, she hasnt a clue…..Her posts are a waste , mean nothing.
Trust me – you may burn out, but you probably won’t leave (which is a whole different topic) – the teacher’s rooms are filled with people putting in their last few years.
I’m happy that you find it rewarding when kids come back – it’s cool that there are kids who do that and I’m sure it means a lot to them too. It makes me think that you are one of the good teachers. Given that you value their feedback – are you open to student and parent evaluations being used, in part, to evaluate teachers? Your union isn’t.
I would do anything to have merit based pay!!!!!I love evaluations and think they are a great tool to determine the effectiveness of our educators.
Would you be open to letting someone who doesn’t know what you really do evaluate you?Evaluations should only be done by those who are trained to do them and are part of the profession so they can really understand what’s going on.I know of very few people who would want to be evaluated by someone who comes of the street!
It’s easy enough to get the gig. Get your bachelor’s degree and your teaching certificate and you’re on your way. Look at it this way. Since teaching is such a great job, only the very best must be in the profession. “For many are called, but few are chosen.” – Matthew 22-14.
I agree just I would bet some teacher maybe few do the minimum that they can . I have great respect for teachers . I think most would do much better if politics and admin rules did not tie your hands . Some teachers have more challenges than other for less pay and do not get the credit they deserve because nonsense about test scores. If teachers were allowed to teach kids more how to learn and how to think . Apply it to real life test scores might not be as high but the kids would do better in the long run. Maybe explain the truth about credit cards . What the real interest on student loans will be in the real world not the math that is taught . I know too much to ask politics not enough time ect. Ask students what a credit card repayment cost would be if it took a year to pay off at 0% interest for 6 months. The real cost of Umaine Not the lie they tell $8,300 . I am not educated, good thing because it might affect my ability to think. I almost think some teachers are not allowed to teach practical truths like the cost of sports at colleges. How much including interest it might cost some for sports they will never play. Now I have a son I would love to send to college in a few years . Kinda upsets me to think (some) getting a free ride IE. sports . Will never learn at a level of an average middle schooler while he and I are footing the bill . Is all about the positive self esteem and make them feel good . How about letting teachers tell the truth.
sad, that you base your statement on ignorance.
Do either one of you have a 4 year degree in education that might have cost $100k? How is 7 in the morning till at least 3:45 a part time job? Then go home and work another 3 hours. That’s part time?
A lot of people have job with no benefits . Average work year is about 2,000 hours . They get paid sick days a pension and other benefits . I did not say they were over paid. Just making a statement. some teacher do put in more hours some do the minimum like any job . The reason I mentioned Bangor is because the drop out seem higher (by state of Maine website) Than some other local schools where teacher are paid about $15k less a year. I do not blame the teacher for that . Most teachers are really decent . I do place the blame for that with Betsy Webb. All the fund raising for a football field . Where is the $7,000,000 funding for at risk kids? Funny she hired Bob Lucy as assistant maybe someone should really look into Bangor test scores and see how else the the system might be gamed. Now some of the other schools may not have the test scores Bangor has . But a lower drop out rate even with no football and a lower budget they deserve a lot of credit.
Evidently you think teaching is an 8-3 job M-F. Hahahahahahahaha!
Yes – though you forgot to mention September to June as well. I hate to break it to you, but everyone works evenings now, thanks to email. The days of saying that grading papers in the evening is grueling are over.
No i don’t make that much working because im retired
Now that 45 an hour as you say how many hours a week are you basing that on ??
Would you spend $23,000 a year for tuition, room, and board for 4 years at the University of Maine for a job that starts at $30,000.00 a year? That’s not counting books, and living expenses.
Toss in interest over $100k. Why don’t teachers stand up and teach these kids the facts. UMaine spent like $10 million more on sports than it brought in. See where you tuition money is going . They would probably be fired for doing so. If all Maine kids where taught the facts UMaine would not be allowed to waste that kind of money. $23,000 and they get state money that is such a waste . Factor in how much these kids will pay in state taxes because of UMaine . Tell these kids the real truth .
“Everyone says” … nope, not even close. I’ve never said it, so there goes “everyone” — right out the window. Hyperbole!
So, what are the six districts who will get this money? Seems like an awful lot of money for just six districts.
The 17 schools are in six districts: RSU 16 (Poland area); RSU 19
(Newport); Millinocket; Bangor; MSAD 11 (Gardiner); and RSU 86 (Fort
Fairfield).
Bangor!? They have more money than most districts and not as needy as Washington County districts or Waldo County. Makes no sense. Must be some butt cushioning going on here.
Bangor has a nice teacher’s contract….certainly not a grossly underpaying district like so many others in the state.
So How does this work with the Gringrich Republican, For Private Profit Charter Voucher System?
Wal- School gets the Money and the Students get free mops ?
To Henderson Bobby…..You are correct about $45 an hour if you take into account the 7:45-3:00 day. Anyone who has ever taught before would know that no teacher can work those hours. I am a teacher and arrive at school EVERYDAY at 6:30 and do not leave until 4:00 most days, but the work doesn’t stop there. Many hours at night and A LOT of hours spent on week-ends. Oh but what about summers off? I know that most of my colleagues spend numerous hours throughout the summer preparing curricula for our students and cleaning out classrooms etc. The list can go on and on, but please do not bash teachers if you are completely unaware of what is required of teachers.
For that I am sorry for bashing teachers . Now MR. teacher . Me being a slow learner and all please with your better reading comprehension skills (read the bill) what it will do. . This bill will do nothing for teacher pay for good teachers. The little I do know is you guys have it tough with politics and admin pressures . This bill will do nothing but make your job harder. No extra pay or spending where it is needed most. Maybe I am wrong. If I am please tell I am. Thanks peace . If you believe the teacher who need a raise most or deserve one will get one. I have a bridge to sell you. Teachers need to stand up for yourselves.
I have not read the bill and it will not effect me anyhow. I was just reading the comments and was amazed at how poorly many of you look down on the teaching profession. Very sad!
My issue is with only a few teachers . I would care to bet More teacher come form parents with a net worth of more than $1 million dollars than grew up on welfare . Some of those could never understand the struggles of lower class kids . Most teachers care a great deal . I do not look down on teachers in general I had some great teachers as dose my son. I do look down on the system . I consider myself very lucky to have a HS. diploma gold tassel and all. If it was not for a few concerned teachers I would not have graduated . Look at the drop out rate at Bangor HS. sports by admin policy seems way more important the at risk kids. Please do not Cry about college tuition when you do not fight to have it lowered. No such thing as bad workers only bad management. I agree most teachers do the best they can . Too bad they seem to have one hand tied . I for one could not deal with the politics .`I am sure if I was a teacher at least in Bangor I would be let go for standing for what I believe in.
Get real – teachers do not have full time jobs. The school year is what, 180 days long? In the real world people have 2-4 weeks of vacation. That is 240-250 weekdays per year. Teachers essentially have jobs for life and work pretty much without daily supervisors. It must be nice. Oh, by the way, earth to teachers, most of us real people don’t get pensions and solid gold benefits. I’d really like it if you would just stop complaining and say thank you.
Who is complaining here? I am just making the point that we work hard for our money…..Believe me when I say that I am content with what I make and would not expect more. Not saying I would say no too more money(who would?). Oh, and fyi I do work in the summers as well as in between vacation time to pay the bills. Actually I can think of many teachers that are the bread winners that do work other jobs to supplement their salaries due to low salaries. Do me a favor, next time you comment on a post, please reread it and ask yourself if you are being fair. You obviously have no clue.
Well know maybe teachers can teach and do away with the Ed Techs.
obama buying more union votes is hardly news, this is another federal disgrace.
But it is not disgraceful that Lepage supports it.?
Don’t let the article get in the way of your lies.
“Both administrators and teachers want the same thing: fair and
realistic measures for performance, professional development and help in
improving teaching skills, and a system that rewards excellent
teachers,” said Gov. Paul LePage in a press release. “This will allow
more districts to engage in this work and more importantly, help them
develop models that other Maine school districts can adopt or adapt for
their needs.”
Who is going to pay for these raises after the five years are up?
You do not get it . No teacher who deserves it will get a raise with this money.
Name the schools, please.
Some of the comments here are disgraceful. Everyone knows that a good teacher works very hard and is a very important part of each child’s life. Some of you should be ashamed of your comments.
I agree with you 100% about good teachers being important in a child’s life. Now if we could find a way to get rid of the poor teachers that are more interested in themselves then the child. The teachers union don’t feel the poor teachers need to be let go. They need to be retrained.
Pay well enough and ALL your teachers will be good. This little bit of incentive is total BS. Stop building mega million dollar school campus’s and just pay the teachers. The quality of the education your child receives will be much improved because the wages will attract better educators. Fine buildings don’t pay a teachers mortgage. Good wages do!
This release from the Maine Department of Education tells a different story about these monies:
http://mainedoenews.net/2012/09/29/grant-teacher-leader-evaluation-systems/
It does not matter who does the math the poor teacher can’t win. I sometimes think that they stretch their working conditions a little but for the most part a good teacher does not stop at 3:00. They do have their summers off. But one has to remember they are only paid for the days that they are in school. They do not get paid for holidays or the vacations they get during the school year. After paying for school to get your degree it seems cruel to start at 30,000 per year but think of those who start off with less and never get to the scale you get to in your career.
Add to this that many of them have to take courses in the summer to add to their continuing advanced degree work or requirements for certification. A good number of them have summer jobs to make up for not being paid over the summer, as well.
Some have other jobs, some get paid extra to coach sports. I have little issue with teachers pay some deserve more than they get some do not deserve A job .
The United States consistently finishes last (worst) among industrialized nations in terms of child poverty rate.
You can throw all the money you want at education, but until you do something to improve the economic conditions that our children grow up under, our kids will continue to struggle to attain academic achievement goals set by someone sitting in a posh office in Washington.
Maine teachers do a good job — and are doing what they can, but the child poverty rate, until solved, will continue to hold us back.
http://www.epi.org/publication/ib339-us-poverty-higher-safety-net-weaker/
Great point I will agree with you on poverty. Administrators are sometimes more concerned with sports than at risk kids. I have herd Betsy Webbs Fund raiser $7 million dollar football field. I did not here her fund raiser for a $7 million dollar program to lower the drop out rate . I know they do care , But too much focus is not in the right places. When I asked (a school board member) about the drop out rate I was told 5% . I said ok give me the real numbers . The answer is know one really knows. How much do we pay DR. Webb? Like $145k ? How much research did she spend on the new Cameron stadium and fund raising? A winning football team makes them look good . A high drop out rate has little affect . It is all about admin making them selves look good not about the students. Teachers care but are only let to care so much.
The USA should stop trying to save the world and take care of our own first. If any money is left, then give countries that don’t burn our flag some help. But not until.
Walk a day in my shoes! I’m in school by 7am and rarely leave before 5pm. I spend much of my summer in my classroom packing, cleaning, and unpacking again or days at home preparing lessons and reading about best practice. I am overwhelmed by new Common Core State Standards, but welcome the accountability they bring to my teaching. If you want to know why I don’t have thirty-five kids in my room like in the “old days”, you need to see how I differentiate programs for each child based on the diverse learner that walks through my door. I welcome parents’ feedback and would love nothing more that to rid my profession of the incompetent teacher. Last time I checked, it was an administrator’s job to build a case for that, not the union. Maybe we need to get rid of the administrators who are not holding their teacher’s accountable. This article is about changing that process. I would think you would welcome that change, instead to blasting those of us who are doing an amazing job. Glad I have a job, glad to collect a paycheck, wish I had a little more respect.
So the gov’t added another 25 million to our 16 trillion dollar debt to reward the above average teachers for doing their jobs.
This incentive thing is the most ridiculous idea I’ve heard in a long time….Teachers and principals are working straight out as it is… Teachers in Maine are the finest in the country. They are dancing as fast as they can preparing their lessons, wiping noses, mediating student conflicts, attending endless committee meetings, watching the kids on the playground, paying for supplies out of their own pockets, grading papers, motivating, encouraging, and educating our young people. Leave them alone and let them do their jobs.
Thank you sir. I like the work my RSU is doing with this grant (we were one of the original 5) and believe that an objective look at best teaching practices is long overdue. That being said- the grant is to develop those evaluations and train teachers and administrators in effectively using them, and that work is just beginning. I welcome people trained in best practices into my classroom to help me do a better job teaching my kids. I continue to train, study and attend workshops and classes to better my professional skills because I love what I do, not because I ever planned to make a ton of money. My grandmother was a teacher in N. Yarmouth until she retired in 1975 and I knew darned well rich wasn’t on the radar but chose this profession because I believe I make a positive difference in the lives of some very troubled and challenged middle school students. I love it, and cannot imagine doing anything else (although I would like to learn to weld :) On edit- yes, I am working right now, grading essays, responding to parent emails and planning lessons for this week. No way could I finish everything between when I get to school at 6:45 and leave at 4. No way.
Wow I guess I did not read this bill correctly. Tell me why dose some of this money go to Bangor ? We have a superintendent highest paid in the state. Like $145k . Is that not her job to evaluate teachers? Trust me non or this money will go to teachers who deserve to be paid more. This artical is so misleading. After reading the bill closely sounds almost like an ALEC bill. Makes it sound like one thing but says another. I am sorry for slamming teachers about pay. Waste more tax dollars for admin not doing the job they should . Not any of this money will go to teachers who deserve more . Come on teachers read the bill and tell me if I am wrong. I am not educated but you guys an gals are. Maybe I have issues with reading comprehension . Please do not comment till you read the bill not the Paper. Thank you.
Aren’t administrators paid enough already?From what i read half of them can’t balance a budget