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What is Q Comp? The Quality Compensation, or Q Comp program, was proposed by Governor Tim Pawlenty and was enacted by the Legislature in July 2005. It is a voluntary program that allows local districts and exclusive representatives of the teachers to design a plan that meets the five components of the law. Approved school districts receive up to $260 per student ($169 per student in state aid and $91 per student in board-approved levy) for the program. Currently, 76 Minnesota school districts and schools have implemented Q Comp programs.

 

What does it mean for Spring Lake Park?
Increased revenue will help to maintain the current programs and initiatives that we know are in the best interest of our students. As we continually strive to align our resources in the most coherent and efficient manner, we believe this funding will have the continued impact on quality of our programs and student learning.

 

The good news was that we did not have to start from scratch. Unlike many districts who jumped into Q Comp with little or no foundation, we've been implementing practices that meet those components required by Q Comp over the past five years. Our work with professional learning communities, assessment, data analysis, coaching and job embedded professional development has provided an excellent foundation for this work. We have developed a plan that closely aligns with the Spring Lake Park Learning Community Framework and our current initiatives. Our plan will continue to focus on professional growth and learning opportunities as we integrate the five components of Q Comp.

 

The Spring Lake Park Quality Compensation Committee has completed the first draft of the program application. Committee members will visit each of our sites (schedule below) to share the program components, solicit feedback, and answer questions. We will then receive feedback from the state and move forward for a recommendation to the school board. Upon approval of the school beard and union membership, we would be awarded the funding for the coming school year.

 

Coaching for Teachers - January 2012 Update

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All Spring Lake Park licensed staff participate in job-embedded coaching, which is funded by the Minnesota Department of Education’s Q Comp program.

 

This program rewards teachers for performance, demonstrated learning, and growth, rather than seniority. The primary goal of Spring Lake Park’s program is to increase student learning by providing each teacher with the support and tools to maximize his or her effectiveness as a teacher by working with a coach who provides guidance and feedback. Teachers meet with their assigned coach throughout the school year to analyze data, set goals, plan lessons and teaching units, and receive feedback on instructional practice. This program is just one of the many ways that Spring Lake Park teachers are expected to deepen their pedagogical knowledge and skills.

 

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At the April 12 School Board meeting, Denise Waalen, director of educational services, reported that a vote by Spring Lake Park educators to continue the Q Comp Program for the 2011-2012 year was approved by 85% of voting members of the teaching staff. Q Comp, or Quality Compensation, is a state program in which some Minnesota school districts have been approved by the state to receive additional funding if their plan, designed by a district and its teacher representatives, meets stringent requirements in the areas of Ladder and Advancement Options, Job-embedded Professional Development, Teacher Observation and Evaluation, Performance Pay, and Alternative Salary Schedule. Full News Release

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Overview Q Comp Review Process Letter from Steve Dibb Revised Master Application Summary of Master Application Revisions Original Master Application   Understanding the proposed Spring Lake Park Q Comp Plan Letter of Agreement and Alternative Salary Schedule

Resources Q Comp FAQ - How will this affect me? Minnesota Dept. of Ed. Q Comp Forms and Planning Documents Pre-Observation Form Observation Form Post-Observation Reflection Guide Walk through Form PLC Planning Guides SLP Innovation Configurations Tenured Teacher Tool Probationary Teacher Tool   Psychologist Planning and Preparation for Q Comp   Counselor Planning and Preparation for Q Comp