In Action

Powering systemic change in Houston

In the first year of a multi-year effort to improve the quality of teaching, TNTP helped Houston ISD design a new teacher evaluation system with input from thousands of teachers, school leaders, and community members. Just eight months later, 11,000 teachers are receiving regular feedback about their instruction, and dedicated support from a revamped professional development department. TNTP is also working with district staff to transform recruitment and staffing practices, and to create new career pathways and compensation structures.

Transforming evaluations in New Orleans

With TNTP’s help, Louisiana’s Recovery School District (RSD) became one of the first to design and roll out a rigorous teacher and principal evaluation system in 2010, known as RSD Pathways to Instructional Excellence. Previously observed infrequently, RSD teachers now receive at least four observations per year, along with thorough reports on their skills and development areas. With this new data, the RSD made smart workforce decisions, retaining 85% of its highest-performing teachers in 2011, and only 17% of its lowest.

Improving school culture

Great teachers want to work at schools with a supportive, high-achieving culture. TNTP’s unique, research-validated tool – Instructional Culture Insight– pinpoints the source of teacher satisfaction. By asking teachers a few key questions, schools can predict teacher retention – and student scores on end-of-year tests. More than 300 schools in 7 cities are using Insight to improve their management and build thriving teacher teams.

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