December 17, 2008 - Austin School Superintendent Pat Forgione today announced approximately $991,000 in payments to 335 teachers and six principals at six campuses that are participating in AISD REACH, the District’s Strategic Compensation Initiative, during the 2008-2009 school year.

“Today, we are excited that these principals and teachers are receiving stipends based on significant improvements in their campus performance on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills,” said Superintendent Pat Forgione. AISD REACH, is the District’s strategic compensation initiative to support and reward teachers based on classroom success, and is designed to assist the District's efforts to recruit and retain the very best teachers and principals.  
 
As one of the elements of the AISD REACH program, teachers and principals at the six pilot campuses that showed growth in student scores on TAKS during the 2007-2008 school year exceeding the growth of comparable schools in Texas, were eligible to earn bonuses. The campuses that attained the Quartile One Comparable Improvement ratings in reading or math were eligible for a $2,000 stipend and teachers at campuses that showed the required reading and math growth were eligible for a $4,000 stipend. The payout amount for principals is $4,000 for each subject or $8,000 for achieving both reading and math growth.  
 
The schools with educators and principals receiving these payments are:  
 
Barton Hills Elementary School  
Dobie Middle School  
Hart Elementary School  
Menchaca Elementary School  
O. Henry Middle School and  
Lanier High School  
 
“Although we were convinced that this incentive program would help us improve TAKS performance, this level of performance during our first year in the pilot was beyond our expectations, “ said David Lussier, Director of AISD REACH.  
 
“This is the fourth consecutive year that Lanier has seen improvement in TAKS performance,” said Lanier interim Principal Katherine Ryan. “The fact that we are now able to both recognize and compensate teachers for their efforts, is not only appreciated, but is likely to help us keep the momentum going.”  
 
"AISD REACH recognizes school-wide growth in student academic performance, measured against similarly situated schools, and rewards the team of educators who worked to achieve that success,” said Louis Malfaro, President of Education Austin. “Broadly, this pilot attempts to provide teachers and schools with multiple opportunities, using a variety of measures, to both support and demonstrate enhanced student learning."  
 
This is the third payout for the AISD REACH-Strategic Compensation pilot.  
 
Previous payouts to teachers and principals occurred in July for the Student Learning Objective (SLO) and mentoring elements of the program and in October for recruitment and retention at the pilot’s seven Highest-Needs schools.  
 
A comprehensive program evaluation report about the first year of the pilot program is scheduled for release in January 2009.