TPS Superintendent Delivers Bonus Checks to Seven Schools
TULSA, Okla, – Dr. Keith Ballard, the superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools, delivered bonus checks ranging from
$500 to $3,000 to certified staff at seven schools Friday morning – just in time for spring break.
The Oklahoma Department of Education provides Academic Achievement Award (AAA) incentives based
on Academic Performance Index (API) scores. AAA incentives are awarded to schools that earn perfect
API scores. Certified staff at TPS’ Carnegie and Eisenhower elementary schools will each receive $3,000
for their perfect work during the 2008?2009 school year.
The SDE also provides incentives to certified staff at the top four schools (in five size categories) with the
highest overall API scores. Zarrow International Elementary School had the highest score in its size
group, which means staff members will each go home Friday with $3,000. Meanwhile, students at
Booker T. Washington High School earned the state’s third highest API in its size category, which equates to $1,000 awards for each certified staff member.
Schools that exhibit substantial API growth also get credit for their hard work. Houston and Anderson
elementary schools each earned the second?highest API growth in their respective size categories.
Certified staff members at those schools will each receive $2,000.
AAA bonuses go to all certified employees (teachers, principals, counselors and librarians) who were
employed at winning schools for at least half of the school year from which the student test data used
for the awards was provided. Contingent on funds being available, the bonuses will range from $500 to
$3,000.
On Friday, March 12, TPS superintendent Dr. Keith Ballard and other district officials presented checks
to winning schools. Schools include Eisenhower, Carnegie, Zarrow, Anderson, Houston, Tulsa Met?Lombard and Booker T. Washington.
API scores annually are calculated on a scale ranging from 0 to 1500 for each public school. For elementary schools, the score is derived from results on state achievement tests and attendance rates.
For secondary sites, dropout and graduation rates are also factors, as well as ACT scores and
participation, Advanced Placement credit and college remediation rates in reading and mathematics.
Updated 03-14-2010
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