Knowledge From the Field

An Evaluation of the Teacher Advancement Program (TAP) in Chicago: Two Year Impact Report

Published: May 2010

Publisher(s): Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.

Author(s): Glazerman, Steven; Allison Seifullah

Funder(s): Joyce Foundation

View Report (62 pages; 2.31MB; PDF)

Area of focus: Teacher Quality and Leadership

Abstract

The Teacher Advancement Program (TAP), enacted by Chicago Public Schools in 2007, provides extra pay and responsibilities to teachers based on their value added to student achievement, as well as their observed classroom performance. This report provides evidence on the impacts of TAP for the 2008-2009 school year—the second year of the program.

Key Findings and/or Recommendations

-Student test scores did not differ significantly between TAP and comparable non-TAP schools.

-TAP did not have a detectable impact on teacher retention rates in its second year.

Geographic Focus: Chicago

Subjects/Keywords: TAP; CPS; Teacher Performance; Low-performing schools; student achievement; teacher retention; public schools; K-8

+ Successful strategy
= Observation
– Challenge