In the 2008-2009 school year, The New Teacher Project (TNTP) partnered with Denver Public Schools (DPS) and the Denver Classroom Teachers Association (DCTA) to assess the effectiveness of current teacher performance management policies and practices. DPS and the DCTA have been national leaders in their willingness to examine the difficult issues…

In February 2011, the U.S. Department of Education (ED)--along with co-sponsors from the American Association of School Administrators, the American Federation of Teachers, the Council of the Great City Schools, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the National Education Association, and the National School Boards Association--brought…

In the spring of 2008, The New Teacher Project (TNTP) partnered with the Thompson School District (TSD) in Loveland, Colorado, to analyze current teacher staffing practices in the district and make recommendations to further build the concentration of highly effective teachers in TSD schools. TNTP's analysis of policy and practice in TSD…

Over the last decade, Colorado has emerged as a national leader in crafting innovative solutions for challenges facing its public school system. From implementing the Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) and No Child Left Behind (NCLB) reforms to more recent legislation including standards and assessments for a preschool-through-college…

In the winter and spring of 2008, The New Teacher Project (TNTP) partnered with Pueblo City Schools (PCS) in Pueblo, Colorado to assess the impact of the district's policies and practices on the ability of schools to build and maintain strong instructional teams. TNTP's analysis included the following components: (1) Interviews with a diverse…

Having a quality teacher in the classroom is the most powerful influence on student success. With excellent educators, adequate resources and effective support, Colorado will meet Governor Ritter's goals of decreasing drop-outs, closing the achievement gaps and increasing achievement for all students. Recruiting, hiring, retaining and supporting…

The 2009 "State Teacher Policy Yearbook" provided a comprehensive review of states' policies that impact the teaching profession. As a companion to last year's comprehensive state-by-state analysis, the 2010 edition provides each state with an individualized "Blueprint for Change," building off last year's "Yearbook"…

A bill was introduced in the Colorado House of Representatives dealing with provisions for a written employment performance evaluation requirement in conjunction with a teacher dismissal provision based on performance evaluation. This paper reviews the major evaluation concepts introduced into the legislative process (which were based on the…