Friday, January 16, 2004

Pay for Performance funds allocated locally

More than $570,000 in Pay for Performance funds have been awarded to six Fulton schools as a reward for going the extra mile during the 2002-03 school year, the Georgia Department of Education announced January 9.

Abbotts Hill Elementary School ($84,396.70), Campbell Elementary School ($84,396.70), Dunwoody Springs Elementary School ($92,564.12), River Trail Middle School ($138,846.18), Sweet Apple Elementary School ($92,564.12), and Tubman Elementary School ($77,590.51) were among 68 schools selected statewide.

The Pay for Performance (PfP) Program is a voluntary school improvement program designed to promote exemplary school achievement as well as faculty collaboration. Awards are made to schools, not to individuals. The monetary amount awarded to each school is determined by the number of certified personnel on staff.

To attain a PfP award, a school must identify and then meet a comprehensive set of exemplary performance objectives. Members of a PfP Evaluator Panel score initial applications and final reports. Performance objectives must be developed in four categories: academic achievement, client involvement, educational programming, and resource development.

During the 2002-03 cycle, only elementary and middle schools were evaluated for Pay for Performance awards. High schools will be evaluated during the 2003-04 cycle. Applications from three Fulton high schools have been accepted for that cycle ­ Banneker, McClarin, and Milton. The schools will work on their goals over the current school year, and if deemed successful by the PfP Evaluator Panel, will receive awards in fall 2004.