Please visit the DATE Technical Assistance Center website for detailed information.
Although strategic compensation reform has grown in popularity, there are still relatively few examples of successful strategic compensation awards programs. The Texas Legislature recognized the novelty and complexity of this reform and mandated technical assistance when it authorized the D.A.T.E. grant in 2006.
The mission of the D.A.T.E. Technical Assistance Center, operated by the Institute for Public School Initiatives at The University of Texas-Austin, is to help districts use their grant as part of a holistic effort to recruit, retain, and develop high-quality educators throughout the state of Texas.
In 2006, Texas Legislature passed House Bill One creating the District Awards for Teacher Excellence (D.A.T.E.) grant. It is a non-competitive grant, with nearly $550 million in funding for districts to design and implement a strategic compensation program. Over 300 districts chose to be part of either Cycle 1, which began implementation in 2008-2009 or Cycle 2, which started implementation in 2010-2011.
These districts represent over half of Texas teacher and student population and:
- 56.5% of Texas' total Hispanic student population
- 64.6% of Texas' African American population
- 65.8% of Texas' economically disadvantaged
- 60.2% of Texas' special education population
DATE requires districts to develop and implement an award plan either district-wide or with a selection of participating campuses. Grant awards are divided into two parts. Part I funds make up at least 60 percent of the grant award and must be used to award classroom teachers or principals who are the most effective at improving student performance in Texas school districts and who meet the Texas Education Code (TEC) definition of a classroom teacher. Part II funds, up to 40 percent of the grant award, can be used on teacher stipends, teacher mentors, principal incentives, awards to other campus employees, professional development, or improvements to data capacity.
Districts may design their own program or use funds to implement the TAP System. Additionally, districts can choose to implement a district-wide program, or target high needs campuses.
Funding is intended to support the establishment of district award programs encourage the recruitment, retention and development of high quality educators through:
- Awarding teachers for positively impacting student achievement
- Creating capacity and sustainability for improved instruction within the district
- Alignment with overall district goals
www.txeducatorawards.org
