ProComp Articles
Professional Development Unit Offered to Key Communicators
Key Communicators are being recruited this year to help other educators understand and use the ProComp elements to enhance their instructional strategies and advance their careers with Denver Public Schools.
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New Agreement Increases ProComp Payments
The new contract negotiated by Denver Public Schools and the Denver Classroom Teachers Association has increased the index for ProComp salaries and bonus payments. As a result of the agreement approved by both partners, the ProComp index now stands at $34,200. Payouts through ProComp, which are based on percentages of the index, have also increased.
For instance, payments for completing Professional Development Units, which pay 2% of the index, have gone up to $684. Employees working in hard to staff positions or in hard to serve schools receive 3% of the index, so their new pay amounts increase to $1,026 for the year.
View new ProComp element payment chart.
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ProComp Sets New Standards
ProComp achieved an extraordinary accomplishment during the 2005-2006 DPS school year. More than 1,600 educators were able to review their personnel records, update any missing information and get assistance during individual meetings to assess their choice whether to join ProComp.
--May 30, 2006
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PDU Pilot Prepares for 2006-2007
A total of 250 teachers and SSPs submitted original applications for Professional Development Units through a pilot program conducted during the current school year. Of that group, 185 submitted portfolios or came to reflection session to successfully complete the process. All participants submitted a plan that described how they would study a teaching technique or other topic, demonstrate it in their practice and reflect on what they learned.
--May 23, 2006
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400+ Join ProComp During Second Opt-In Period
More than 430 teachers and other student service professionals opted into ProComp during the second opt-in window. The total number now paid under the new pay system is nearly 1,200 – or about 30 percent of the instructional staff.
The second ProComp opt-in window closed on March 31. The next opt-in period will begin in January 2007.
--April 04, 2006
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Tuition Reimbursement Available 2005-2006
New teachers and educators who who opted into ProComp for the 2005-2006 contract year are eligible for tuition reimbursement during the current school year.
The $1,000 maximum lifetime tuition reimbursement is built into the Knowledge and Skills component of ProComp, and is designed to be used for higher education courses, professional conferences or other professional development opportunities.
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Market Incentives adds schools, nurses
Seven more schools have been designated as hard-to-serve and school nurses have been added to the list of hard-to-staff positions for 2006-2007. The additional schools are Ashley, Bryant Webster, Columbian and Montclair elementaries, Horace Mann and Rishel middle schools, and West High School.
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Student Growth Objectives Update
The purpose of setting student growth objectives (SGOs) is to help teachers and student services professionals (SSPs) examine the impact of their instruction or professional services. Student Growth Objectives must be attainable and grounded in the reality of a teacher/SSP’s work. Teachers/SSPs have the flexibility to select or to develop assessment tools appropriate to their content and population.
--November 29, 2005
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Student Growth Objectives Handbook Improves for Users
The Student Growth Objectives handbook has been revised to make it easier for teachers, student services professionals (specialists) and administrators to use it.The handbook has more sample objectives and is now available in five versions customized to the academic level or an individual’s job assignment.
- Elementary teachers
- Secondary teachers
- Teachers in ECE-8 Schools
- Student Services Professionals assigned to a school or department
- Itinerant Student Services Professionals with no home school
The handbook can be viewed and printed online with Adobe Acrobat reader, which can be downloaded from the site.
Hard copies of the relevant handbook will also be distributed to supervisors so they can be available for reference.
The changes were made following feedback last spring from users gathered in through an online survey of teachers and specialists and 8 focus groups of teachers, principals, student service professionals and their managers.
For more information, see Student Growth Work Group
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ProComp Field Specialists Provide Assistance
A team of ProComp field specialists will support teachers, principals, area staff and DPS departments this year with the implementation and evaluation of the ProComp system. The special team will attend area staff and principals' meetings and collaborate with Human Resources to provide training and support. The field specialists are assigned by quadrant. They are prepared to assist principals and teachers who request information on:
- The objective-setting process
- Developing teams of instructional leaders in their buildings
- Assisting with implementation of related curriculum activities