District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) will receive over $62 million over five years to help reward, retain, and provide more professional development opportunities to teachers and principals with a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The grant, the Teacher Incentive Fund Grant or TIF, will provide DCPS with significant funds to help ensure that by the end of the 2016-2017 school year, at least 90 percent of DCPS teachers and principals will be Highly Effective or Effective, as determined through the IMPACT evaluation system.

“I fundamentally believe that our teachers and principals in DCPS are the most dedicated and most capable in the country and this grant will help us provide them with the support they deserve,” said DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson. “I want to thank Secretary Duncan for continuing to believe in the important work we’re doing in DC. We are on the rise here at DCPS and I’m truly appreciative of and excited for the work we’ll be able to do with the funds from this grant.”  

“I am so proud of DCPS and grateful to the U.S. Department of Education for recognizing the strength and potential of our schools, our principals, our teachers and our students,” said Mayor Vincent C. Gray.  “This stellar achievement coupled with the growth we’ve seen at so many levels at DCPS is just testament to the work happening in our schools every day. It’s another great day for the District.”

Funds from the TIF grant will support rigorous, ongoing leadership development training for teacher leaders and principals, the creation of additional leadership roles for teachers aimed at school turnaround and expansion of performance-based compensation, including the creation of a new salary structure based on effectiveness for principals and assistant principals. The $62 million over five years is more than any of the 34 other grantees.

Contact: Melissa Salmanowitz | 202-535-1096