M-DCPS Awarded $26.6M Grant To Elevate Teaching Profession

From the Miami-Dade County Public Schools:

October 8, 2020

Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) has been awarded a nearly $27 million
dollar, three-year grant by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) for its
commitment to elevate the teaching profession through the Teacher and School
Leader Incentive (TSL) program.

The grant will support M-DCPS’ newly launched Miami Leading Educator Advancement
and Recognition through Networks of Support (Miami LEARNS) initiative, which aims to increase
student achievement and close the achievement gap in high-need schools. Miami
LEARNS ensures access to highly effective teachers and school leaders
through the implementation of a cohesive and effective performance-based compensation
system that recognizes, develops, supports and compensates instructional and
leadership excellence.

“Our incredible educators deserve the very best professional development
opportunities that can, in turn, lead to career growth,” said Schools
Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho. “This sizeable grant will assist M-DCPS in
fulfilling our commitment to support the advancement of our teachers.”

Benefits of the grant funding for Miami LEARNS will include:

· expanding teacher leadership preparation opportunities

· defining and credentialing four 21st century classroom-based teacher leadership positions

· reviewing and realigning current compensation models for teacher leadership positions and roles

· increasing the clarity of communication at all access points for external and internal
candidates about entry, career ladder, and career lattice requirements, and preparation and advancement opportunities

· implementing a more robust system for connecting educators with personalized, targeted,
relevant, and rigorous professional learning opportunities as a result of data emerging from observations and evaluations

· improving instructional effectiveness and retention of early-career and out-of-field teachers

· increasing the reliability and validity of the observation processes and evaluation systems for educators

· improving the effectiveness of instructional leaders through job-embedded professional learning and support

· support the fidelity of implementation of research-based best practices to improve instructional effectiveness and student learning outcomes at high-need schools.

The USDOE has made 13 awards nationwide to support local education agencies in
developing, enhancing and improving compensation systems for teachers and
principals. Recipients include 11 public school districts and charter school
networks from around the country, and two nonprofit entities.

This press release was produced by the Miami-Dade County Public Schools. The views expressed here are the author’s own.