STATEMENT BY THE EDUCATION EQUALITY PROJECT

ON NEW WASH, D.C. TEACHER EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

NEW YORK, April 7, 2010 – The Education Equality Project (EEP) strongly supports Chancellor Michelle Rhee’s efforts to transform Washington, D.C.’s public schools.  We commend her determined insistence that nothing is more important than students and their results.  Rhee, a signatory of our project, deeply shares our commitment to closing the achievement gap.

Today, the District and its teachers announced a game-changing new employment agreement.  We applaud this agreement and the dedication of Chancellor Rhee and Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, who made it happen.

Essentially replacing a seniority based system, this new contract focuses on teacher performance including significant reliance on a teacher’s impact on student achievement as the major criteria.

Particularly important in this new agreement:

·      Teacher performance, which will now be measured largely by student growth, is clearly recognized as the critical factor in all teacher-related decisions;

·      Continuing service is based on teacher performance, measured annually by a well-crafted evaluation process;

·      A compensation system is introduced that pays educators as the professionals they are, looks at outcomes not inputs, rewards success, and makes teaching attractive to talented young people.

“American education won’t achieve equity and excellence without a new employment bargain based on teacher effectiveness and student achievement.  This new contract is a big step in that direction.” – Ellen Winn, Director, Education Equality Project.