Lincoln School District continues search for teaching program money
Posted on Thursday, July 26, 2007
The Lincoln School District is still awaiting approval of grant applications it submitted to fund continued participation in the Teacher Advancement Program (TAP ).
Superintendent Frank Holman said the district has appealed to the Walton Family Foundation and the TAP Foundation of Arkansas for assistance. He said he hopes to know more in August.
The district applied to the U. S. Department of Education for a Teacher Incentive Fund grant that would have funded the program, but the application was not approved.
TAP is considered a meritpay system that emphasizes experienced teachers mentoring newer teachers and teachers consulting each other. Bonuses are provided based on student performance in the subject areas.
The program was first implemented by the district four years ago with a threeyear grant from the TAP Foundation, but the funds expired.
Administrators and school board members often cite the program as one of the key factors that led to some dramatic improvements in test scores since the 2001 school year.
"I feel good about the program," Holman said. "We think it's a great vehicle."
He said he still hopes to pay out the TAP bonuses from the recent school year, but the district does need additional money to continue participating as it has been.
The administration has been looking at ways to restructure the program if the district cannot secure more funding, Holman said.
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