Rural and Ready: Impact Evaluation of an Educator Effectiveness System in Rural Tennessee

• In Event: Poster Session 1
  In Poster Session: Division L Poster Session

Abstract

This study examines the impact of a U.S. Department of Education Teacher Incentive Fund grant (TIF-4) to implement a comprehensive educator effectiveness model, TAP: The System for Teacher and Student Advancement in five rural Tennessee school districts. Designed to improve teacher practices and raise student achievement, the TAP System provides teachers with opportunities for career advancement, job-embedded professional development, a rigorous and fair performance evaluation system, and performance-based compensation. Findings show educators’ strong support for the TAP System, increases in teacher and administrator effectiveness, high levels of educator retention, and improved student achievement. This study adds to prior evidence on the impact of the TAP System in raising educator effectiveness and student achievement despite the challenges presented in high-need schools.

Authors

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

• Tanee Hudgens, National Institute for Excellence in Teaching