Another Step Forward for Teacher Compensation and Career Path Reform

In a December 2013 vote, the school board of Marietta City Schools, Georgia, took a big step forward in rewarding highly effective teachers. The board voted to accept MCS’ new EXCEL teacher compensation system, which includes:

• Tuition Reimbursement for degrees that are more closely related to impact in the classroom¹
  
• A series of Professional Pathways that allow highly effective teachers to extend their reach to their colleagues while staying in the classroom

We are particularly excited about this development because in 2013, ERS worked closely with MCS to design a new teacher compensation system that emphasized rewarding teachers who increase student impact. Through that engagement, MCS:

• Explored the weaknesses in their teacher compensation and career path “value proposition”
• Completed the Teacher Compensation Workshop to find design elements that fit their district goals
• Used cost models to determine the fiscal sustainability of their plan
• Worked with their teachers and board members to customize the system to fit their needs

We believe that this system will allow MCS to retain their highest performing teachers, attract the highest potential candidates to the system, and leverage a highly effective teacher workforce to improve student outcomes. We look forward to tracking MCS’ progress in the years to come.

¹ Ozdemir, M.; Stevenson, W. (2010). “The Impact of Teachers' Advanced Degrees on Student Learning.” Human Capital in Boston Public Schools: Rethinking How to Attract, Develop and Retain Effective Teachers. Washington, DC: National Council on Teaching Quality.