Congratulations to Our Highly Effective Teachers!

Throughout the year, DCPS will be commending, celebrating and recognizing the achievements of our highly effective teachers.

The outstanding progress that DCPS students have made over the past three years is mainly due to many outstanding teachers. Our teachers--individually and collectively—are the most powerful and important resource in this school district.

IMPACT, the new teacher evaluation system, was created to ensure that every year, in every classroom, and in every DC Public School, every child will have the benefit of an excellent teacher. The results from the first year of this rigorous new evaluation system show that overall 16% of DCPS teachers have been rated highly effective.

This designation signifies outstanding performance that produces results for children. Teachers rated highly effective demonstrated the ability to advance their students’ learning throughout the last school year. As part of the new performance pay system negotiated with the WTU, they will receive bonuses for their superior performance.

Our highly effective teachers range across all experience levels; nearly a quarter have more than 21 years of experience. The greatest concentration of highly effective teachers—slightly more than half-- is in elementary schools. The rest teach at middle schools, education campuses and high schools as well as at special education and youth engagement schools.

DCPS is working to create a professional culture that recognizes the contributions that excellent teachers make. To kick off a season of celebrating our highly effective teachers, we have invited them to a reception in their honor in early September.

The highly effective teachers in DC Public Schools make an invaluable contribution to this city and its future every single day. We congratulate and thank them.

Inside DCPS Highlights.