Leading by Example: Impact Evaluation of the TAP System Across Knox County Schools

• In Event: 31.091 - Roundtable Session 10
  In Roundtable Session: 31.091-12 - Evaluating Instruction-Focused Programs and Strategies

Abstract

Through a targeted professional growth and support model, 14 high-poverty schools in Knox County, Tennessee have transformed their instructional practices and within two years have begun to outperform their counterparts on student achievement measures. These schools began implementing TAP™: The System for Teacher and Student Advancement through a U.S. Department of Education Teacher Incentive Fund grant and have used a matched comparison, longitudinal evaluation process to understand the impact of this system on student outcomes. Student achievement data, both in the implementation and impact evaluation, drive the focus for these schools that serve high percentages of students in poverty and in some cases have been among the lowest performing schools in the district or state.

Authors

• Kellie Wills, National Institute for Excellence in Teaching

• Joshua H. Barnett, National Institute for Excellence in Teaching

• Leigh D'Amico, University of South Carolina

• Peggy C. Kirby, Education Development Center, Inc.