Chicago Teacher Advancement Program (Chicago TAP)

Chicago Teacher Advancement Program (Chicago TAP) is a schoolwide reform model implemented in Chicago Public Schools beginning in 2007. The program provides teachers with opportunities to earn extra pay and take on increased responsibilities through promotion to mentor teacher or master teacher positions. Teachers become eligible for annual performance bonuses based on a combination of their contribution to student achievement (value added) and observed classroom performance using a Skills, Knowledge, and Responsibilities (SKR) rubric. The model includes weekly cluster group meetings where teachers and mentors collaborate, and regular classroom observations by a school leadership team to help teachers meet their performance goals. Mentor teachers receive an additional $7,000 per year and lead teachers receive $15,000 per year. Performance bonuses averaged approximately $1,100 in the first year of implementation and $2,500 in subsequent years. The program was piloted in 40 high-need schools over a four-year rollout period from 2007-2011, with 10 schools added each year. Chicago TAP differs from the national TAP model by determining compensation locally, offering performance pay for principals and other school staff in addition to teachers, and initially measuring value-added performance at the school level rather than individual teacher level.