This report summarizes the major activities and findings to date of the Career Ladders Research and Evaluation Project with respect to the five-year pilot-test currently underway in Arizona. Summary descriptions are given of each year's activities from 1985 to 1989: (1) development and planning for program evaluation; (2) application of research…

To assure accountability to educational policy developed by elected and appointed leaders, agencies and organizations must adopt high quality evaluation designs tailored to meet three basic tenets: (1) different processes for policy formation and demonstration of accountability; (2) clear accountability expectations built into policies; (3)…

This document reports on an assessment of the 5-year Arizona Career Ladders Pilot-Test Teacher Incentive Program. Research and evaluation of the program were conducted in the 14 presently participating districts. A model was developed of essential organizational components which must be functioning at healthy levels for effective operation. The…

A description is given of a career ladder incentive program that is currently being implemented in nine school districts in Arizona. Advancement to higher career ladder levels is dependent on meeting various criteria established by the individual school district in this program, and salary compensation is based on performance competency.…

This paper presents results from research and evaluation of the "Pilot Arizona Career Ladder Teacher Development and Incentive Program." The project, initiated by the State legislature, allows each local education agency to design its own plan. By 1989, the project will provide evidence for the legislature to make informed decisions…

This paper presents results regarding the development, research, and evaluation of unique aspects of the Arizona Career Ladder Teacher Incentive Program. The first section presents a brief overview of the historical perspective of career ladders and teacher incentive programs. The second section, which describes the Arizona model, details its…

A summary report of the first two years of the Arizona Career Ladder Research and Evaluation Project is presented. This program, established in 1985, included the formulation of the Joint Legislative Committee on Career Ladders, which provided oversight for program implementation and development. The pilot program seeks to determine if student…

The general purpose of the Arizona career ladder pilot project is to establish a social intervention program which will result in improvement of the professional development and effectiveness of teachers and enhance student learning. This document is a comprehensive report to the Arizona state legislature on the development and progress to date of…

The Northern Arizona University Career Ladder Research and Evaluation Project for teachers implements a procedure for rewarding teachers based on performance levels rather than on years of teaching experience and college credits. Research data is collected each spring, analyzed and fed back to the districts for improvement of key program…

This paper presents research findings concerning the Career Ladder pilot test program in Arizona. The program is designed to reward and motivate teachers based on performance. One of the program's key features is the flexibility and innovation allowed to participating districts in their individual development of program designs and structures. An…

The focus-group interview format was used to investigate the implementation of the Career Ladders teacher-incentive program in a rural school district in Arizona. Two interviews were planned for each of the following groups: (1) school board members; (2) Career Ladders steering committee; (3) administrators; (4) central office staff; (5) parents;…