Nothing like a $65 million federal grant to get the city Department of Education and teachers union to come together to fix struggling schools.
The two sides announced a deal yesterday to institute wide-ranging reforms on how teachers are evaluated and compensated at 33 low-performing high and intermediate schools to meet the terms of the grant.
Under the agreement, teachers at the 33 schools — all considered “lowest achieving” — will use a new state-approved system that rates teachers by four categories: highly effective; effective; developing; and ineffective.
Currently, teachers are ranked only satisfactory or unsatisfactory.
Teachers with two years of ineffective ratings could be removed.
United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew praised the deal, but noted that the new ratings won’t spread to other schools.
“Does this mean because of the agreement we are moving towards schoolwide agreement? No, it does not mean that,” Mulgrew told The Post.
Sources told The Post that state education officials pressured both sides to reach an agreement to avoid losing the grant.
Yesterday’s deal involves other major changes. as well.
The schools will have four models or plans of improvement to follow.
Under those plans, principals of the failing schools will generally be replaced while skilled teachers who take on more responsibility in the schools will get paid more.
“With this agreement, we will be able to bring millions of dollars in federal funding to these struggling schools,” Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott said.
For instance, “master teachers” are eligible for a 30 percent bump in pay if they mentor other teachers and work an additional 100 hours a year. And nonprofits will consult with schools to boost student achievement.
Granted
Under the deal:
* City gets $65 million federal grant to fix 33 low-performing schools.
* Pays for higher teacher salaries, nonprofit consultants.
* Union agrees to a more rigorous teacher-evaluation system.
* Principals can be replaced with new leadership.