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TFT receives AFT Innovation Fund Grant
July 19, 2010: The American Federation of Teachers
announced last week during its national convention in Seattle
that the Toledo Federation of Teachers will receive an
AFT Innovation Fund grant for its proposal to create a pilot
performance-pay program that sets teaching standards that
surpass those of the Ohio Department of Education. Teams of
grade-level math teachers who demonstrate effective skills and
strategies that result in improved teacher practice, and
increased student achievement that exceeds state expectations,
will be recognized and rewarded. The program also offers
incentives to parents and guardians for participation in their
children’s education.
The AFT Innovation Fund, which made its first round of grants in
October 2009, seeks proposals that feature strong partnerships
with communities and school districts. The 2010 grants, totaling
$1.21 million, were awarded to eight local affiliates, including
the Toledo Federation of Teachers.
During the first year of the performance-pay program, the
emphasis will be on math in grades 4 through 8 in four
high-needs schools. The goals of this project are to increase
student achievement in the core academic areas, increase
collaboration among teachers, recognize outstanding teaching,
foster successful teaching practices, and increase parental
involvement in the schools. The union is partnering with Toledo
Public Schools to implement this performance-pay program.
“One ofthe most exciting aspects of this project is that it
encourages educators and parents to work together to help
students succeed,” said Francine Lawrence, president of
the Toledo Federation of Teachers. “By accelerating student
learning and increasing parental involvement, we are laying the
foundation for sustained success in our community.”
“The AFT Innovation Fund has given members the opportunity and
the means to think creatively and develop new ways to solve some
of the greatest challenges facing schools today,” said AFT
President Randi Weingarten. “We’re focused on getting
sustained results and sharing them with other educators across
the country.”
Support for the AFT Innovation Fund comes from Carnegie
Corporation of New York, the Ford Foundation, the Bill & Melinda
Gates Foundation and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, as
well as from the AFT. For more information, visit
www.aft/innovate.
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