Jefferson and El Paso secure $47.8 million in teacher grants

Gov. Bill Ritter and Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien congratulated Jeffco Public Schools and Colorado Springs School District 11 for securing $47.8 million in grants to attract and support top-quality teachers and principals to work in high-need areas. These grants were among 62 awards announced today by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan through the $1.2 billion Teacher Incentive Fund grant competition.

"Congratulations to Jefferson County and Colorado Springs for going the extra mile to support educators who are committed to helping our high-need students get a top-flight education," said Gov. Ritter. "These new awards demonstrate that Washington recognizes Colorado's ambitious efforts to help all of our children reach their highest potential."

"These new awards from the Department of Education will help two of our largest school districts implement creative programs that will attract the best teachers to work with the students who need them the most," said Lt. Gov. O'Brien. "This is one of many tools we will use to improve student outcomes so our schools can meet the high standards we have set forth on behalf of kids across Colorado."

Jeffco Public Schools will use $32.7 million over five years to implement a program that will reward teachers in pilot schools for student growth and spreading their own teaching skills.

The Colorado Springs School District 11 will use $15 million over five years to implement a performance-based compensation system to reward teachers and principals based on their effectiveness at improving student achievement at ten high-need schools.