In two weeks, Harvard's excellent Program on Education Policy and Governance is hosting a conference on performance pay for teachers.
A number of the leading writers and researchers in the field, including Marty West, William Howell, Brian Gill, Michael Podgursky, are participating.
The conference is particularly timely as the U.S. Department of Education just released final priorities and the application package for its first administration of the Teacher Incentive Fund (TIF), a federal program designed to spur the creation of alternative compensation systems.
I'm presenting a paper on the Obama administration's approach to performance pay that reflects on the president's comments on the subject (both during the campaign and since), Secretary Duncan's experience with TIF in Chicago, the Race to the Top application, and more.??White House education aide Roberto Rodriguez will be responding.
If you're in the Boston area or have an interest in this increasingly important subject, you might consider attending. (The event has no registration fee.)
--Andy Smarick