Through First to the Top, Tennessee prepares to embark on strategic compensation work with local school districts. A total of $49.5 million dollars in grants has been dedicated to developing performance-based compensation systems for teachers and principals.  These grant programs are designed to increase student achievement by encouraging, guiding and rewarding effective educators to take on the additional responsibilities and leadership roles needed to motivate and support students.Tennessee has been awarded:

• First to the Top Competitive Supplemental Fund (CSF)-  $1.5 Million
•  First to the Top Innovation Acceleration Fund (IAF)- $12.0 Million
• Teacher Incentive Fund (TIF)- $36.0 Million

These performance based reforms incorporate multiple performance measures for evaluating educators and their schools-to include student academic achievement, financial incentives and educator recognition. With the support of school districts and other resources, the expectation is that these systems will be long-term and successful at addressing the challenges of recruiting and retaining effective educators.  By rewarding excellence, attracting educators to high-need and hard to staff areas, and providing all with the feedback and support they need to succeed, Tennessee will equally and effectively support teachers in classrooms across the state.

Tennessee wants to hear from our teachers. The TELL Tennessee Survey, Teaching, Empowering, Leading and Learning, is an online, anonymous and confidential survey of all public school educators' perception of their school environment. The TELL Tennessee Survey is a unique opportunity to gather information about school conditions from those whose views matter most-practicing educators. The purpose of the survey is to support sound educational policies and practices based on the views of teachers, principals and other certificated educators in our public schools. The respondents will be asked for their views on a variety of issues related to student achievement and teacher retention, including facilities and resources, time, empowerment, school leadership, community support, student conduct, professional development, mentoring and induction services, and student learning.

Research from across the country has shown the presence of positive teaching and learning conditions is essential for student success and teacher retention. Tennessee wants to ensure that every educator has the supportive environment necessary to help students achieve at the highest levels. The results of this survey will provide local school and district educators and state policymakers with guidance on what is working well, and what could be working better, in our schools.

The TELL Tennessee Survey will be available online early 2011. Educators will receive a personal security code that enables them to anonymously and confidentially go online and provide their perceptions on the critical issues that make a difference in Tennessee education. 

As Tennessee asks and expects more from our students, we must also ask and expect more from our parents and guardians. Active parent participation informs and influences policies, practices, and programs that support expanded learning opportunities.  In July 2010, Tennessee implemented new Parental Involvement Standards in an effort to welcome and include parents in the education process. The following standards aim to promote participation, raise awareness, and improve student achievement through increased parent involvement.

• Standard 1: Welcoming all families into the school community- Families are active participants in the life of the school, and feel welcomed, valued, and connected to each other, to school staff, and to what students are learning and doing in class and school.
• Standard 2: Communicating effectively-Families and school staff engage in regular, meaningful communication about student learning.
• Standard 3: Supporting student success-Families and school staff continuously work together to support students' learning and healthy development both at home and at school, and have regular opportunities to strengthen their knowledge and skills to do so effectively.
• Standard 4: Speaking up for every child-Families are informed and enabled to be advocates for their own and other children, to ensure that students are treated fairly and have access to learning opportunities that will support their success.
• Standard 5: Sharing power-Families and school staff are equal partners with equal representation in decisions that affect students and families and together inform, influence, and create policies, practices, and programs.
• Standard 6: Collaborating with community-Families and school staff work together with community members to connect students, families, and staff to expanded learning opportunities, community services, and civic participation.

Tennessee can only successfully rise to the top with the help of our parents, so get involved today! Click here for more information about the Tennessee Parental Involvement Standards. 

An integral part of Tennessee's First to the Top efforts is the appropriate use of student data as a catalyst to improve and personalize instruction in our classrooms.

The Tennessee Department of Education, in partnership with Battelle for Kids, a not-for-profit organization, trained District Value-Added Leadership Team (DVALT) members-educators selected from every Tennessee K-12 public school district-to help build the capacity of others in their districts. DVALT members participated in a three day training on how to use value-added analysis to guide instructional decision making and improve student academic progress. DVALT members will collaborate with Regional Value-Added Specialists to provide support to principals and teacher leaders within their districts during the 2010-2011 school year.