The Maine Department of Education is in the process of applying for a third, five-year Teacher Incentive Fund (TIF) grant. This latest round of federal grants, called TIF 5, will expand the number of Maine Schools for Excellence (MSFE) districts and offer the opportunity for 20-30 additional high-need schools to gain access to quality educator effectiveness programs, professional development and performance-based compensation.
Interested districts must notify Maine DOE (by email msfe@maine.gov AND voicemail, 592-0223) of their intent to apply to be included in the TIF 5 grant by 5 p.m., June 17, 2016, followed by submission of a complete initial application packet by 5 p.m., June 27, 2016.
To be eligible, districts must be classified as high-need, with a 50 percent or higher free and reduced lunch. All qualifying districts are encouraged to apply; preference will be given to isolated, rural high-poverty districts.
MSFE will support the new TIF 5 districts as they explore innovative ways of improving student learning and educator effectiveness. These include:
- Articulation of clear standards for professional practice
- Ongoing feedback and professional growth processes that provide resources and create structures for teacher leadership, differentiated professional learning opportunities, and performance-based compensation
- Collaboration between districts and higher education institutions that prepare and certify educators to enter and advance within the profession
- Teacher and leader recruitment and retention
Districts will be notified by July 20, 2016 if they have been selected to participate in the Maine DOE’s TIF 5 federal application. The U.S. Department of Education will announce winning TIF 5 applications by September 28, 2016. The five-year grant begins on October 1, 2016.
Further information on MSFE and the TIF 5 application requirements can be found at maine.gov/doe/excellence/tif5/. The initial application requires district information and project commitment letters from the superintendent, board chair, and local association president.
Interested districts are urged to contact MSFE Director Scott Harrison at scott.harrison@maine.gov or 592-0223 for more information and assistance with the application process.