April 26, 2004

The Denver Classroom Teacher's Association became one of the first teacher groups in the nation to approve a pay-for-performance compensation plan entitled ProComp. Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper enthusiastically supported this measure as part of his effort to work in partnership with the Denver Public Schools to improve teaching and learning across the system. Hickenlooper worked very closely with the Denver Superintendent Jerry Wartgow, the school board and the teacher's association.

Hickenlooper has visited one public school each week since he has been in office. So far, he has visited 20 percent of Denver's public schools. One result of these school visits was an increased commitment to education and his full support of ProComp.

This new approach is a significant change in the way teachers will be compensated from the traditional salary scale tied to years of service and graduate course-work to a new system that rewards teachers for improving student achievement and other accomplishments. It was a bold step and Hickenlooper provided important leadership in promoting this change in how teachers are to be compensated.

Fifty-nine percent of the teachers voted in favor of the plan. Just before the vote, polling data showed the contest to be a dead heat. Now, Denver voters need to approve this system so it can go into effect. If passed, current teachers will have the option to stay with the existing salary system or switch to the new compensation plan. All newly hired teachers after January 2006 will be automatically enrolled in the new system.

Hickenlooper supported ProComp, saying it is a comprehensive approach to teacher compensation that fully supports the education goals of setting high expectations, improving performance of all students, accountability, and closing the gap between better and poorer performing students and schools.