General Information
Click here for glossary of terms
What is the stated purpose of Mission Possible?
Recruit, retain and reward effective teachers in hard to staff schools for the purpose of increasing student achievement.
How does this affect me?
Student - The program provides an effective teacher for every student which will allow for more rigorous and meaningful instruction to transform the whole student.
Staff - The program allows for more professional development, more support Mission Possible
Program Specialists and pay increase (incentives).
What is the difference between incentive and bonus?
Program Component | Incentive Schools | Bonus Schools |
Recruitment Rewards | * | * |
Leadership Rewards | * | * |
Professional Development | * | * |
School Coaches | * | * |
Performance Rewards | * | |
Annual Bonus (1%) | | * |
How are schools selected to be a part of the Mission Possible Program?
Schools were selected for participation based upon a weighted formula inclusive of teacher turnover rate, Value Added Data, percentage of students qualifying for free and reduced lunch.
I’m a school social worker for 50% of the time at a bonus school. Will I receive the 1% bonus?
Yes. As long as you are at the school at least 50% of the time you are eligible for incentives.
I am an ACES coordinator or ACES group leader will I receive incentives?
No. In order to receive incentives you must work with the students during the traditional school day and not in an afterschool program.
How is the Mission Possible program evaluated?
Mission Possible is evaluated as a part of a national study conducted by mathmatica.
If I am an employee at a MP school am I automatically a part of the MP program?
Yes. All staff and faculty employed at a Mission Possible school are all a part of the Mission Possible program.
Who is eligible for a MP Teacher Leader position?
If you are coded as a teacher in the Human Resource Management System for at least 50% of the instructional day, you are eligible to be a teacher leader, regardless of the content area you teach (i.e., band, ELA art, math). Support staff such as Curriculum Facilitators, Curriculum Coaches, and Media Specialists are ineligible to be teacher leaders.
If a person teaches more than one hard-to-staff subject, how will annual bonuses be affected?
There are two scenarios:
- If you teach equal amounts of classes in two different hard-to-staff areas, you would receive the higher bonus. For example, if you teach 2 ELA classes and 2 Math classes, you would receive the $5,000 Math hard-to-staff bonus.
- If you teach one subject more than the other, you would receive the bonus for the subject that you teach for 50% of your time. For example, if you teach 2 ELA classes and 1 math class, you would receive the $2,500 ELA hard-to-staff bonus.
Pay Incentives
What types of monetary incentives are available for Mission Possible teachers?
INCENTIVE SCHOOLS (only):
Recruitment Rewards- signing bonus with 2 years high VAD and/or monthly for hard to staff positions Individual rewards from VAD
School-wide rewards based on VAD performance
Leadership rewards (i.e. teacher leader)
BONUS SCHOOLS (only):
Recruitment Rewards- signing bonus with 2 years high VAD and/or monthly for hard to staff positions
Salary Bonus (1% guaranteed annual bonus)
Leadership Rewards (i.e. teacher leader)
How are annual recruitment rewards paid?
Retention rewards are reoccurring per eligibility and are paid over 10 months (August to May) in equal installments as a part of your regular paycheck.
What if you teach only 1 of 3 ELA classes? Will I get a % of the money?
No, you will receive the Hard-to Staff (ELA) reward only if you teach language arts for 50% of the instructional day. You cannot receive a partial reward.
Why does ELA specify 6-8, but math only secondary?
The TIF III grant includes only elementary and middle schools, so these terms are actually synonymous.
If I am on a leave of absence, do I still receive the incentive/bonus?
No. You must be physically present at work to receive the additional pay. Your reward would be prorated for the time that you are physically at work.
Professional Development
If I am a faculty member at a Mission Possible school that does not receive an incentive, can I still attend Mission Possible professional development?
Yes. Professional Development is offered to all teachers in a Mission Possible school.
Is Professional Development Required?
No. Professional Development is need-based and is only offered, but not required. Your principal may require you to attend.
