(Washington, DC) – State Superintendent Kerri L. Briggs today announced a plan to help DC public charter schools develop innovative compensation strategies for their instructional staff.  OSSE will be dedicating $9.5 million for this two-year grant program available to all DC public charter schools based from the $20 million federal payment to the DC charter school community.  Grants will be awarded during the 2010-2011 school year, with a portion of that funding expected to be available to be carried into the 2011-2012 school year.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

“Schools want to attract and retain the best and brightest teachers for their students,” said State Superintendent Kerri L. Briggs.  “Developing and sustaining a high-quality teaching force is necessary for public charter schools to deliver high-quality education to the District’s children they serve.”

The plan was developed with broad support from the charter community.  OSSE received input from charter schools, the Public Charter School Board, and other sector stakeholders in crafting a plan to help charter schools remain competitive in attracting the best teachers.

“My administration recognizes that this is a critical issue for all of our schools – we want the best teachers in every classroom, and this funding proposal helps charters reach that goal,” said Mayor Adrian M. Fenty.

Eligible schools that apply will receive approximately $300 per student to use for innovative and effective investments in teacher compensation.  Such compensation may be used to continue unique programs offered by charter schools.

“This is an important step in the right direction to support charter schools in recruiting and retaining high quality teachers,” said Public Charter School Board Chair Brian W. Jones.  “At the end of the day this critical support for charters will help us make the District an even more attractive market for the best teaching talent.  That’s a win for everybody.”

The plan includes both a formula grant program awarded on a per-pupil basis to charter schools that apply and are eligible; and, competitive grants to support innovative practices in teacher compensation.  For charter schools that receive the competitive grant, OSSE will assist and encourage them to use the additional funding to leverage additional private sector funds for specific teacher incentive programs in their schools.

OSSE is in the process of developing eligibility criteria for both grant programs to ensure that the funds further quality improvements in District public charter schools.

The remaining $10.5 million of the federal payment to DC charter schools will be used as follows:

• $5 million for per pupil facilities funding per the Budget Support Act
• $5 million for OPCSFS facilities programs (Direct Loans, grants, etc.)
• $0.5 million for OSSE administrative expenses