Placement on High Quality Teachers in Cincinnati Public Schools

Research clearly shows teacher quality is the most important factor in determining student academic success. Cincinnati Public Schools in blessed with a high number of National Board Certified Teachers, one means of recognizing high performing teachers. But according to this Enquirer analysis the Board Certified teachers are not as present in the schools rated as in "academic emergency" by the state. What are we going to do to ensure students in these schools have access to the highest quality teachers possible?

There are options to incent placement in high need schools. The recent report from The New Teachers Project highlighted two options: incentive pay for teachers willing to serve in these schools and performance bonuses for increased academic growth at the classroom and school levels. What other options do you think should be considered?

Top teachers assigned unevenly
Elite CPS instructors gravitate to high-achieving schools
By Ben Fischer • bfischer@enquirer.com • December 20, 2009
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20091220/NEWS0102/912210333

Breakdown of Number of National Board Certified Teachers by School Rating Groups

Rating group: Excellent or Ex. w/ distinction (5 schools)
Total Student Enrollment: 4,259
Number of Nationally Board Certified Teachers (NBCT): 20
Students/NBCT: 213

Rating Group: Effective (9 schools)
Total Student Enrollment: 5,730
Number NBCT: 26
Student/NBCT: 220

Rating Group: Continuous Improvement (14 schools)
Total Enrollment: 7,109
Number NBCT: 22
Student/NBCT: 323

Rating Group: Academic Watch (16 schools)
Total Student Enrollment: 8,929
Number NBCT: 26
Student/NBCT: 343

Rating Group: Academic Emergency (13 schools)
Total Student Enrollment: 6,584
Number NBCT: 6
Student/NBCT: 1,097

CPS total
Total Student Enrollment: 33,121
Number NBCT: 111
Student/NBCT: 298

Note: Does not include Hughes STEM High School. Nine NBCT are not in the classroom.