APPENDIX A

DISTRICT SURVEY

1. District Letter (if district is the grantee)

2. District Letter (if district is a subgrantee)

3. District Questionnaire
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES

National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance

Month XX, 2015

Firstname Lastname

Superintendent [or other title]

District

Street Address

City, ST ZZZIP

Dear Dr./Mr./Ms. Lastname: 

As a recipient of 2010 TIF funds, you are required to participate in data collection associated with 

the National Evaluation of TIF sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. A critical component of 

the evaluation is the administration of surveys to TIF cohort 3 districts for each year of program 

implementation during the five-year grant to learn about implementation experiences. These surveys, as 

well as additional data from grantees who were awarded evaluation grants, will provide valuable 

information about TIF to the Department and Congress. 

The enclosed district survey collects information on specific features of your TIF program, including

any applicable refinements that occurred during your planning year or as the program was implemented 

(e.g., approaches used to obtain buy-in from stakeholders). The survey also focuses on outcomes of the 

program and implementation experiences as well as plans for sustaining the incentive policies.

Please complete the enclosed questionnaire, which should not take more than 30 minutes. You may 

use the enclosed postage-paid envelope to mail the completed questionnaire. The information collected 

from districts like yours will be extremely important to the study’s findings. Completion of this survey is 

a condition of your grant (EDGAR: part 75.591, Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1221e–3 and 3474). 

The information you provide in this survey will be kept strictly confidential and will not be shared 

with anyone outside the study team. Responses will be presented only in aggregate form and will not 

identify any individual or district. 

We have contracted with <TBD> to conduct this evaluation. If you have any questions about this 

survey or the study, please contact <project director, tbd>, the project director, at

(xxx) xxx-xxxx or by email at <>. Alternatively, please feel free to contact me at (202) 208-7169 or at 

elizabeth.warner@ed.gov. 

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Warner, Ph.D.

Federal Project Officer 
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES

National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance

Month XX, 2015

Firstname Lastname

Superintendent [or other title]

District

Street Address

City, ST ZZZIP

Dear Dr./Mr./Ms. Lastname: 

As a recipient of 2010 TIF funds, you are strongly encouraged to participate in data collection 

associated with the National Evaluation of TIF sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. A critical 

component of the evaluation is the administration of surveys to TIF cohort3 districts for each year of 

program implementation during the five-year grant to learn about implementation experiences. These 

surveys, as well as additional data from grantees who were awarded evaluation grants, will provide 

valuable information about TIF to the Department and Congress. 

The enclosed district survey collects information on specific features of your TIF program, including

any applicable refinements that occurred as the program was implemented (e.g., approaches used to 

sustain buy-in from stakeholders). The district survey also will focus on outcomes of the program and 

implementation experiences as well as plans for sustaining the incentive policies.

Please complete the enclosed questionnaire, which should not take more than 30 minutes. You may 

use the enclosed postage-paid envelope to mail the completed questionnaire. The information collected 

from districts like yours will be extremely important to the study’s findings. 

The information you provide in this survey will be kept strictly confidential and will not be shared 

with anyone outside the study team. Responses will be presented only in aggregate form and will not 

identify any individual or district. 

We have contracted with <TBD> to conduct this evaluation. If you have any questions about this 

survey or the study, please contact <project director, tbd>, the project director, at

(xxx) xxx-xxxx or by email at <>. Alternatively, please feel free to contact me at (202) 208-7169 or at 

elizabeth.warner@ed.gov. 

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Warner, Ph.D.

Federal Project Officer 
OMB Control No.: 

Expiration Date: 

TEACHER INCENTIVE FUND

2014-2015

DISTRICT SURVEY

This survey is part of the national evaluation of the Teacher Incentive Fund (TIF), a federally funded initiative on 

performance pay for educators. The survey includes questions about features of your program, changes made 

to your program after you received the TIF grant, and communication with program stakeholders.

We would like you to know that:

1. Your response is critical for producing valid and reliable data. You may skip any questions you do not wish to 

answer; however, we hope that you answer as many questions as you can. Your answers to questions will 

not affect your grant—now or in future—and will not be shared with anyone else other than the researchers. 

Participation in the district survey will not impose any risks to you as a respondent. If you have any questions 

about your rights as a research participant, you can contact xxx IRB at 1-800-xxx-xxxx. 

2. Responses to this data collection will be used only for statistical purposes. The reports prepared for this 

study will summarize findings across the sample and will not associate responses with a specific district or 

individual. We will not provide information that identifies you or your district to anyone outside the study

team, except as required by law. Additionally, no one in your district will see your responses. 

Thank you very much for your help with this survey.

Please return the completed form to: If you have questions about completing this form 

or to request another copy, please contact:

This survey is authorized by law: The ARRA, Division A, Title VIII, Pub. L. 111–5 and Departments of Labor, 

Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010, Division D, Title 

III, Pub. L. 111–117.

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid 

OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 1850-0876. The time required to complete this information 

collection is estimated to average 30 minutes per respondent, including the time to review instructions, gather the data needed, and complete and 

review the information collected. If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate(s) or suggestions for improving this 

form, please write to: U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC 20202. If you have comments or concerns regarding the status of your 

individual submission of this form, write directly to: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, 555 New Jersey Avenue, N.W., 

Washington, DC 20208.
TIF –2014-2015 District Survey 1

DISTRICT SURVEY

This survey is about activities supported by the 2010 Teacher Incentive Fund grant, also called TIF 3. 

Please answer only for the activities supported by the 2010 TIF 3 grant. Do not provide information for 

TIF grants received before or after 2010.

If you are responding for a TIF 3 program for a group of charter schools, for a single charter school, or 

a single-building program, please answer only for the school or schools that are part of your TIF 3 

program.

If your district is NOT participating in the 2010 TIF 3 grant this school year, please check the box below 

and indicate the reason your district decided not to participate in TIF 3. Then proceed to Section D,

provide your contact information, and return the form in the envelope provided. All TIF 3 grant 

participants should go to Question A1 below and complete the entire questionnaire.

1  Check this box if your district is NOT participating in the TIF 3 grant.

Please indicate the reason your district decided not to participate indicating whether your 

district ever participated, then GO TO SECTION D

_______________________________________________________________________________________ 

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

A. TIF PROGRAM BASIC FACTS
TIF –2014-2015 District Survey 2

A1.How do you normally refer to the TIF 3 performance-based compensation system (PBCS) 

program in your site?

1 The Teacher Incentive Fund program, the TIF program or TIF

2  The Teacher Advancement Program or TAP

3  Other (specify):________________________________________

A2. For each level listed, please provide the number of schools covered by the TIF 3 grant this 

school year.

NUMBER OF SCHOOLS

a. Elementary schools ................................................... | | | |

b. Middle schools ........................................................... | | | |

c. High schools .............................................................. | | | |

d. Other (Specify)........................................................... | | | |

TOTAL NUMBER OF TIF 3 SCHOOLS (sum of 

rows A through D)

| | | |

A3. Besides TIF 3, are there other sources of funding from federal, state, or privately sponsored 

programs to provide performance-based bonuses in any of your TIF 3 schools?

1  Yes

0  No

Note: Questions A4-A11 focus specifically on bonuses based solely on performance. Performancebased bonuses do not include the additional pay that may be available for roles, responsibilities or

other activities.

A4. Did any teachers in your TIF 3 schools receive bonuses based solely on their performance 

in the 2013-2014 school year?

1 Yes  GO TO A5

0 No  GO TO A6

A. YOUR TIF 3 PROGRAM
TIF –2014-2015 District Survey 3

A5. Which of the following methods did you use to inform teachers and other stakeholders about 

the bonus amounts that were given based solely on performance in the 2013-2014 year? 

MARK ONE PER ROW

YES NO

LETTER OR EMAIL

a. Letter or e-mail to each teacher with his or her individual bonus 

amount 1  0 

b. Letter or e-mail with school- or district-level information about bonus 

amounts...................... 1  0 

IN-PERSON MEETINGS

c. Individual meeting(s) with each teacher to discuss his or her

individual bonus amount 1  0 

d. Group presentation(s) to teachers with school- or district-level 

information about bonus amounts................................................ 1  0 

e. Presentation(s) to school board 1  0 

OTHER

f. Press release or press conference about bonus amounts for 

individual teachers...............................................

1  0 

g. Press release or press conference with school- or district-level 

information about bonus amounts..................... 1  0 

h. District website..................................................................................... 1  0 

i. Other (Specify)..................................................................................... 1  0 

 ______________________________________________________

A6. Did you revise your TIF 3 program after the 2013-2014 school year to change any aspect of your 

bonuses based solely on performance?

1  Yes  GO TO A7

0  No  GO TO A12

A7. Did you make revisions to your TIF 3 program after the 2013-2014 school year to change who is

eligible to earn a bonus based solely on performance?

1  Yes, to expand the pool of staff who are eligible to earn a performance-based bonus

2  Yes, to shrink the pool of staff who are eligible to earn a performance-based bonus

0  No

A8. Did you make revisions to your TIF 3 program after the 2013-2014 school year to change how 

performance is assessed or how the evaluation criteria affect bonuses based solely on 

performance?

1  Yes

0  No
TIF –2014-2015 District Survey 4

A9. Did you make revisions to your TIF 3 program after the 2013-2014 school year to change the amount

of bonuses based solely on performance? 

1 Yes 

0  No 

A10. For which of the following reasons did you revise your bonuses based solely on performance 

after the 2013-2014 school year? 

MARK ONE PER ROW

YES NO

a. To obtain or maintain principals’ support ................................................... 1  0 

b. To obtain or maintain support from a teachers union or association......... 1  0 

c. To obtain or maintain support from teachers in participating schools ....... 1  0 

d. To obtain or maintain support from the school board .................................

1  0 

e. To stay within budget constraints................................................................

1  0 

f. To simplify the criteria for earning a bonus .................................................. 1  0 

g. To improve perceived fairness................................................................... 1  0 

h. At the request of the U.S. Department of Education................................... 1  0 

i. Others (Specify) ......................................................................................... 1  0 

__________________________________________________________

A11. Did you revise the following aspects of your bonuses based solely on performance after the 2013-

2014 school year?

a. Difficulty of earning a performance-based bonus

MARK ONE ONLY

1 Yes, so more teachers are likely to earn a performance-based bonus

2  Yes, so fewer teachers are likely to earn a performance-based bonus

0  No

b. Amount of the average bonus

MARK ONE ONLY

1 Yes, to have larger performance-based bonuses on average

2  Yes, to have smaller performance-based bonuses on average

0  No

c. Distribution of the bonus

MARK ONE ONLY

1  Yes, to have a larger difference between the average and maximum performance-based 

bonuses

2  Yes, to have a smaller difference between the average and maximum performance-based 

bonuses

0  No
TIF –2014-2015 District Survey 5

A12. Tell us about the professional development activities related to your TIF 3 program that were 

planned for teachers in TIF 3 schools during the 2014-2015 school year. 

These activities include courses they may take for recertification or advanced certification, workshops 

sponsored by your school(s) or district, conferences, or any other training that is relevant to their teaching 

at your school(s).

In each row, check the box if the activity is the focus of professional development (PD), then write the 

percent of teachers expected to receive PD in that topic.

FOCUS OF 

PD

PERCENT OF 

TEACHERS

a. Understanding components of your TIF 3 program other than performance 

measures ........................................................................................................

1 □ | | | |

b. Understanding performance measure used as part of your TIF 3 program ... 1 □ | | | |

c. Direct feedback based upon individual performance ratings as measured 

through your TIF 3 program ............................................................................

1□ | | | |

d. Differentiated instructional strategies based on student assessments........... 1□ | | | |

e. Instructional techniques and strategies........................................................... 1□ | | | |

f. Aligning curricula to state or district standards ............................................... 1□ | | | |
TIF –2014-2015 District Survey 6

Questions in this section refer to activities funded by your TIF 3 grant. 

Teacher Additional Pay and Performance Measures

B1. Can teachers earn additional pay for taking on added roles or responsibilities during the 

regular school day this school year?

1 Yes 

0  No GO TO B3

B2. For which of the roles or activities below can a teacher in your TIF 3 schools earn additional pay

this school year?

Mark Yes or No for each eligible role or activity listed. For each Yes answer, write the maximum amount of 

additional pay that a teacher could earn for that role or responsibility.

CAN EARN ADDITIONAL 

PAY?

MAXIMUM ADDITIONAL 

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES YES NO AMOUNT

a. Mentor teacher........................................................... 1  0  $ | | |,| | | |

b. Master or lead teacher ............................................... 1  0  $ | | |,| | | |

c. Department chair or head .......................................... 1  0  $ | | |,| | | |

d. Lead curriculum specialist.......................................... 1  0  $ | | |,| | | |

e. Serving on a school-wide committee or task force .... 1  0  $ | | |,| | | |

f. Serving on a leadership team in some capacity ........ 1  0  $ | | |,| | | |

OTHER ACTIVITIES

a. Teaching in a hard-to-staff school (e.g., schools 

serving large proportions of economically 

disadvantaged or low-performing students)...............

1  0  $ | | |,| | | |

b. Teaching high-need subjects (e.g., math, science, or 

special education) ......................................................

1  0  $ | | |,| | | |

c. Attending professional development activities or 

enrolling in graduate-level courses ............................

1  0  $ | | |,| | | |

B. ADDITIONAL PAY, BONUSES, AND PERFORMANCE MEASURES
TIF –2014-2015 District Survey 7

B3. Are any teachers in tested grades and subjects (grades/subjects that administer state or district 

assessments) in your TIF 3 schools eligible for bonuses based solely on their performance this 

school year?

 Performance-based bonuses do not include the additional pay that may be available for roles, 

responsibilities or activities listed in B1.

1  Yes

The maximum performance-based bonus is $ | | | , | | | | (round to the nearest 100)

0 No
TIF –2014-2015 District Survey 8

B4. For teachers in tested grades and subjects, which of the following performance measures are 

used to evaluate teachers or to determine their bonuses based solely on performance? 

In column A, indicate whether the performance criterion is used to evaluate teachers.

In column B, indicate whether the performance criterion helps determine which teachers receive 

performance-based bonuses or the amounts of the bonuses that teachers receive.

COLUMN A COLUMN B

USED TO EVALUATE 

TEACHERS?

AFFECTS BONUSES?

YES NO YES NO

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

a. Student test scores at a point in time (e.g., average scores, 

proficiency rates, or Adequate Yearly Progress – AYP 

based on 2014-2015 scores only) ................................

1  0  1  0 

b. Growth in student test scores between the current and 

prior school year(s) at the school level (e.g., value-added, 

average gains) ..............................................................

1  0  1  0 

c. Growth in student test scores between the current and 

prior school year(s) in certain student groups (e.g., grade 

level, team, subject area

1  0  1  0 

d. Growth in student test scores between the current and 

prior school year(s) in teachers’ individual classes.......

1  0  1  0 

DIRECT OBSERVATION

e. Classroom observations................................................ 1  0  1  0 

f. Professional judgment of principal or other administrator, 

other than classroom observations ...............................

1  0  1  0 

ATTENDANCE

g. Teacher attendance ...................................................... 1  0  1  0 

h. Student attendance....................................................... 1  0  1  0 

STAKEHOLDER INPUT

i. Reviews from other teachers 1  0  1  0 

j. Parent input................................................................... 1  0  1  0 

k. Student input ................................................................. 1  0  1  0 

l. OTHER (Specify).............................................................. 1  0  1  0 
TIF –2014-2015 District Survey 9

B5. Are any teachers in non-tested grades and subjects (grades/subjects that do not administer

state or district assessments) in your TIF 3 schools eligible for bonuses based solely on their 

performance this school year?

Performance-based bonuses do not include additional pay that may be available for roles, responsibilities 

or activities listed in B2.

1  Yes

The maximum performance-based bonus is $ | | | , | | | | (round to the nearest 100)

0 No
TIF –2014-2015 District Survey 10

B6. For teachers in non-tested grades and subjects, which of the following performance measures are 

used to evaluate teachers or to determine their bonuses based solely on performance? 

In column A, indicate whether the performance criterion is used to evaluate teachers.

In column B, indicate whether the performance criterion is used to determine which teachers receive 

performance-based bonuses or the amounts of the bonuses that teachers receive.

COLUMN A COLUMN B

USED TO EVALUATE 

TEACHERS?

AFFECTS BONUSES?

YES NO YES NO

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

a. Student test scores at a point in time (e.g., average scores, 

proficiency rates, or Adequate Yearly Progress – AYP 

based on 2014-2015 scores only) ................................

1  0  1  0 

b. Growth in student test scores between the current and 

prior school year(s) at the school level (e.g., value-added, 

average gains) ..............................................................

1  0  1  0 

c. Growth in student test scores between the current and 

prior school year(s) in certain student groups (e.g., grade 

level, team, subject area ...............................................

1  0  1  0 

d. Growth in student test scores between the current and 

prior school year(s) in teachers’ individual classes.......

1  0  1  0 

DIRECT OBSERVATION

e. Classroom observations................................................ 1  0  1  0 

f. Professional judgment of principal or other administrator, 

other than classroom observations ...............................

1  0  1  0 

ATTENDANCE

g. Teacher attendance ...................................................... 1  0  1  0 

h. Student attendance....................................................... 1  0  1  0 

STAKEHOLDER INPUT

i. Reviews from other teachers ........................................ 1  0  1  0 

j. Parent input................................................................... 1  0  1  0 

k. Student input ................................................................. 1  0  1  0 

l. OTHER (Specify).............................................................. 1  0  1  0 
TIF –2014-2015 District Survey 11

B7. Are the TIF 3 schools conducting formal teacher classroom observations using a rubric or 

checklist this school year? 

 1  Yes 

 0 No GO TO B13

B8. Were observers trained on using the observation tool?

1  Yes 

0 No GO TO B10

B9. Please indicate whether the observation training included the following activities.

MARK ONE PER ROW

ACTIVITY YES NO

a. Discussed examples of performance at each rating level on the 

observation tool..................................................................... 1  0 

b. Practiced using the observation tool using a video or in-person 

observation............................................................................ 1  0 

c. Compared observer ratings to an expert rater or gold-standard rating 

before conducting observations for TIF3....................................... 1  0 

d. Compared observer ratings to an expert rater or gold-standard rating 

while conducting observations for TIF3 ....................................... 1  0 

e. Required additional training for observers who did not have similar 

ratings to the expert or a gold-standard rating. .............................. 1  0 

B10. On average, how many formal classroom observations (based on a rubric or checklist) will be 

conducted per teacher this school year?

| | |OBSERVATIONS PER TEACHER

B11. What is (or will be) the approximate length of one typical formal classroom observation based on a 

rubric or checklist?

| | | | MINUTES PER OBSERVATION
TIF –2014-2015 District Survey 12

B12.Who conducts or will conduct the formal classroom observations in TIF 3 schools this school 

year?

MARK ONE PER ROW

YES NO

a. The principal at the teacher’s school ......................................................... 1 □ 0□

b. Other administrator (e.g., assistant principal, department head) at the 

teacher’s school ......................................................................................... 1 □ 0□

c. Mentor, master, or lead teacher at the teacher’s school............................ 1 □ 0□

d. Mentor, master, or lead teacher from a different school in the district....... 1 □ 0□

e. Content specialist....................................................................................... 1 □ 0□

f. Other observer (Specify)............................................................................ 1 □ 0□

__________________________________________________________

Principal Additional Pay and Performance Measures

B13. For which of the roles or activities listed below can principals in your TIF 3 schools earn additional 

pay this school year?

 Mark Yes or No for each role or activity listed. For each Yes answer, write the maximum additional 

amount that a principal could receive.

CAN EARN 

ADDITIONAL PAY?

MAXIMUM ADDITIONAL 

AMOUNT

YES NO

a. Working in a hard-to-staff school (e.g., schools serving 

large proportions of economically disadvantaged or lowperforming students) ....................................................

1  0  $ | | |,| | | |

b. Assuming additional roles or responsibilities in the school 

or district.......................................................................

1  0  $ | | |,| | | |

c. Attending professional development activities or enrolling 

in graduate-level courses.............................................

1  0  $ | | |,| | | |

B14. Are any principals in your TIF 3 schools eligible for bonuses based solely on their 

performance this school year?

 Performance-based bonuses do not include the additional pay that may be available for roles, 

responsibilities or activities listed in B12.

1  Yes

The maximum performance-based bonus is $ | | | , | | | | (round to the nearest 100)

0 No
TIF –2014-2015 District Survey 13

B15. Which of the following performance criteria are used to evaluate principals or to determine their 

bonuses based solely on performance? 

In column A, indicate whether the performance criterion is used to evaluate principals.

In column B, indicate whether the performance criterion helps determine which principals receive 

performance-based bonuses or the amounts of the bonuses that principals receive.

A B

USED TO EVALUATE 

PRINCIPALS?

AFFECTS 

BONUSES?

YES NO YES NO

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

a. Student test scores at a point in time (e.g., average scores, 

proficiency rates, or Adequate Yearly Progress – AYP based 

on 2014-2015 scores only) ...........................................

1  0  1  0 

b. Growth in student test scores between the current and prior 

school year(s) at the school level (e.g., value-added, average 

gains).............................................................................

1  0  1  0 

c. Growth in student test scores between the current and prior 

school year(s) in certain student groups (e.g., grade level, 

team, subject area)........................................................

1  0  1  0 

DIRECT OBSERVATION

d. Observations by trained observers ............................... 1  0  1  0 

e. Professional judgment of supervisors (e.g., superintendent), 

other than classroom observations 1  0  1  0 

f. Teachers’ assessment of principal performance .......... 1  0  1  0 

ATTENDANCE

g. Teacher attendance ...................................................... 1  0  1  0 

h. Student attendance ....................................................... 1  0  1  0 

STAKEHOLDER INPUT

i. Parent input ................................................................... 1  0  1  0 

j. Student input ................................................................. 1  0  1  0 

k. OTHER (Specify) ____________________________

 

__________________________________________________

B16. Are trained observers conducting formal observations of TIF 3 principals this school year? 

 1  Yes 

0 No GO TO B20
TIF –2014-2015 District Survey 14

B17. On average, how many observations by trained observers will be conducted per principal this 

school year?

| | | OBSERVATIONS PER PRINCIPAL

B18.What is (or will be) the approximate length of one typical observation by a trained observer? 

| | | | MINUTES PER OBSERVATION

B19.Which of the following types of trained observers will observe principals?

MARK ONE PER ROW

YES NO

a. Superintendent........................................................................................... 1  0 

b. Other central office administrator from the same district .......................... 1  0 

c. Administrator from another district ............................................................. 1  0 

d. Other observer (Specify)............................................................................ 1  0 

B20. Please indicate which of the school staff below are eligible for bonuses based solely on their 

performance. 

 Mark Yes or No to indicate whether staff in any of your TIF 3 schools are eligible to receive a 

performance-based bonus. 

 Check NA for any staff category that does not exist in the schools in your TIF 3 program. 

SCHOOL STAFF

ELIGIBLE FOR BONUSES?

YES NO N/A

a. Assistant/vice principal............................................................... 1  0  n

b. Other school administrators ....................................................... 1  0  n

c. Other teaching staff (e.g., part-time teachers, substitutes, 

teacher aides) ............................................................................

1  0  n

d. Non-teaching staff (e.g., counselors, librarians, custodial staff) 1  0  n
TIF –2014-2015 District Survey 15

C. POTENTIAL CHALLENGES IMPLEMENTING YOUR TIF 3 PROGRAM

C1. For the listed activities associated with teacher classroom observations, please indicate the 

degree to which they were challenging for your district to implement.

MARK ONE PER ROW

NOT A

CHALLENGE

MINOR 

CHALLENGE

MAJOR 

CHALLENGE

a. Choosing a classroom observation tool................................ 0  1  2

b. Finding a classroom observation tool that is ready for 

implementation...........................................................................................

0  1  2

c. Hiring observers for classroom observations................................0  1  2

d. Training observers to use a classroom observation tool ........................... 0  1  2

e. Scheduling and/or conducting classroom observations............................. 0  1  2

f. Providing useful and/or timely feedback from 

observations...............................................................................................

0  1  2

g. Collecting and storing classroom observation data ................................ 0  1  2

C2. For the listed activities associated with principal observations, please indicate the degree to which 

they were challenging for your district to implement. 

MARK ONE PER ROW

NOT A

CHALLENGE

MINOR 

CHALLENGE

MAJOR 

CHALLENGE

a. Choosing a principal observation measure/tool................................ 0  1  2

b. Finding a principal observation tool that is ready for 

implementation...........................................................................................

0  1  2

c. Hiring observers for principal observations................................ 0  1  2

d. Training observers to use a principal observation tool .............................. 0  1  2

e. Scheduling and/or conducting principal observations................................ 0  1  2

f. Providing useful and/or timely feedback from 

observations...............................................................................................

0  1  2
TIF –2014-2015 District Survey 16

C3. For the listed activities associated with incorporating student achievement growth into teacher 

evaluations, please indicate the degree to which they were challenging for your district to 

implement. 

MARK ONE PER ROW

NOT A

CHALLENGE

MINOR 

CHALLENGE

MAJOR 

CHALLENGE

a. Calculating student achievement growth ................................ 0  1  2

b. Attributing student achievement growth to individual 

teachers ................................................................................................

0  1  2

c. Explaining student achievement measures to 

educators 0  1  2

d. Providing useful and timely feedback on student 

achievement measures to educators ................................

0  1  2

e. Collecting and storing data linking teachers to student 

achievement data 0  1  2

C4. For the issues listed, please indicate the degree to which they were challenging to your district 

when it was designing and implementing the TIF program. 

MARK ONE PER ROW

NOT A

CHALLENGE

MINOR 

CHALLENGE

MAJOR 

CHALLENGE

a. Defining the criteria for earning a performance-based 

bonus or the amount of the bonus .............................................................

0  1  2

b. Calculating performance-based bonuses ................................ 0  1  2

c. Distributing performance-based bonuses ................................ 0  1  2

d. Choosing educators for additional roles and 

responsibilities............................................................................................

0  1  2

C5. To what degree were the following communication activities challenging for your district? 

MARK ONE PER ROW

NOT A

CHALLENGE

MINOR 

CHALLENGE

MAJOR 

CHALLENGE

a. Communicating the TIF program to educators ................................ 0  1  2

b. Communicating bonus payouts to educators................................ 0  1  2

c. Communicating with other stakeholders 0  1  2 
TIF –2014-2015 District Survey 17

C6. To what degree was it challenging for your district to obtain or maintain support for your TIF 

program from the following stakeholders? 

MARK ONE PER ROW

NOT A

CHALLENGE

MINOR 

CHALLENGE

MAJOR 

CHALLENGE

a. Teachers or teachers’ union or association ................................0  1  2

b. Principals or principals’ union or association ................................ 0  1  2

c. Superintendent........................................................................................... 0  1  2

d. School board .............................................................................................. 0  1  2

e. Parents or the broader community............................................................. 0  1  2
TIF –2014-2015 District Survey 18

D1. In 2015-16, which of the following best characterizes your plans for [Program Name]?

MARK ONLY ONE

1  Continue the program in some, but not all of the currently participatingTIF3 schools

1  Continue the program in all of the currently participatingTIF3 schools

2  Implement the program in an expanded group of district schools

3  Implement the program in all district schools

4  Discontinue the program completely

5  Other __________________________________________

D2. In 2015-16, which of the following characterize your plans for evaluating, supporting, and 

rewarding the performance of teachers in your district? 

CHECK ALL THAT APPLY

IN AT LEAST SOME 

TIF 3 SCHOOLS

IN DISTRICT 

SCHOOLS BEYOND 

THOSE IN TIF 3

YES NO YES NO

a. Include a measure of student achievement growth in 

the performance evaluation of teachers..................

1 □ 0□ 1 □ 0□

b. Include multiple observations in the performance 

evaluation of teachers............................................

1 □ 0□ 1 □ 0□

c. Offer additional pay for taking on additional roles or 

activities (such as mentoring or master lead 

teacher)..........................................................

1 □ 0□ 1 □ 0□

d. Offer additional pay for teaching in a hard-to-staff 

school or subject..............................................

1 □ 0□ 1 □ 0□

e. Provide targeted professional development to 

improve performance identified by the performance 

evaluation........................................................

1 □ 0□ 1 □ 0□

f. Offer additional pay based solely on performance 

(e.g., measured by student achievement growth, 

observations, or a combination of measures).......

1 □ 0□ 1 □ 0□

g. Offer additional pay based solely on performance 

measured by student achievement growth ..........

1 □ 0□ 1 □ 0□

h. Offer additional pay based solely on performance 

measured by observations ...............................

1 □ 0□ 1 □ 0□

D. TIF/ EVALUATION SYSTEM FUTURE PLANS
TIF –2014-2015 District Survey 19

D3. In 2015-16, which of the following characterize your plans for evaluating, supporting, and 

rewarding the performance of principals in your district? 

CHECK ALL THAT APPLY

IN AT LEAST SOME 

TIF 3 SCHOOLS

IN DISTRICT 

SCHOOLS BEYOND 

THOSE IN TIF 3

YES NO YES NO

a. Include a measure of student achievement growth in 

the performance evaluation of principals................

1 □ 0□ 1 □ 0□

b. Include multiple observations in the performance 

evaluation of principals.......................................

1 □ 0□ 1 □ 0□

c. Offer additional pay for assuming additional roles or 

responsibilities in the school or district.................

1 □ 0□ 1 □ 0□

d. Offer additional pay for working in a hard-to-staff 

school (e.g., schools serving large proportions of 

economically disadvantaged or low-performing 

students).......................................................

1 □ 0□ 1 □ 0□

e. Offer additional pay based solely on performance 

(e.g., measured by student achievement growth, 

observations, or a combination of measures)........

1 □ 0□ 1 □ 0□

f. Offer additional pay based solely on performance 

measured by student achievement growth ..........

1 □ 0□ 1 □ 0□

g. Offer additional pay based solely on performance 

measured by observations ...............................

1 □ 0□ 1 □ 0□

D4. Do you intend to continue or expand aspects of your TIF program listed in questions D2 and 

D3?

1  YES 

0 No GO TO D7
TIF –2014-2015 District Survey 20

D5. Which of the following do you intend to use to pay for your district’s plans to continue or 

expand aspects of your TIF program listed in questions D2 and D3?

MARK ONE PER ROW

YES NO

a. New Teacher Incentive Fund grant (e.g., TIF 5)................................

1 □ 0□

b. Other Federal Funding (e.g., Title II)..................................................

1 □ 0□

c. Revised salary schedule (e.g., to reduce pay increases for educator 

experience or additional credentials/certification)..............................

1 □ 0□

d. New source of district or SEA funding................................................

1 □ 0□

e. Outside Funding (such as 

philanthropy)............................................. 1 □ 0□

f. Other__________________________________................................

1 □ 0□

D6. Do you intend to discontinue any aspects of your TIF program listed in questions D2 and D3?

1  YES 

0 No GO TO SECTION E

D7. Please indicate the degree to which the following played a role in shaping your district’s plans to 

discontinue your TIF program (or aspects of your program listed in questions D2 and D3)? 

MARK ONE PER ROW

NO ROLE MINOR ROLE MAJOR ROLE

a. Lack of support from teachers or teachers’ union or 

association ................................................................................................

0  1  2

b. Lack of support from principals or principals’ union or 

association ................................................................................................

0  1  2

c. Lack of support from other stakeholders................................ 0  1  2

d. Concerns with data capacity issues or capabilities................................ 0  1  2

e. Challenges with effectively communicating payout 

opportunities...............................................................................................

0  1  2

f. Challenges with effectively communicating student 

achievement growth in the performance measure................................

0  1  2

g. Challenges with effectively communicating the 

observation rubric in the performance measure ................................

0  1  2
TIF –2014-2015 District Survey 21

D8. Please use the space below to provide any additional thoughts or clarifications you would like to 

share about your TIF 3 program or this questionnaire.

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________
TIF –2014-2015 District Survey 22

Please provide your contact information below. We will use it to reach you in case we need to 

clarify any of your responses. 

Providing this information is voluntary.

Name:____________________________________________________________________

Title: _____________________________________________________________________

Street address:_____________________________________________________________

City: ___________________________ State: _______ Zip Code:

Best telephone to reach you: ________________________________________________

Cell phone: _______________________________________________________________

Best Email to reach you: _____________________________________________________

Other Email: _______________________________________________________________

Best time to reach you by phone (day and time): _________________________________

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMPLETING THIS QUESTIONNAIRE

E. CONTACT INFORMATION