Launching Our Groundbreaking Pilot: Transforming Two Schools
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our pioneering pilot program! This $100,000 initiative will directly impact educators at The Museum School (TMS) of Avondale Estates and Wesley International Academy (Wesley). This groundbreaking effort represents the next step in our mission to innovate American education.
Supporting Educators = Better Student Outcomes
Research consistently demonstrates what we've long believed: when we invest in teachers, students thrive. Studies show that supporting teachers financially has a profound impact on student outcomes, creating ripple effects that transform entire learning communities. Here are some other quick facts:
Countries with higher average salaries for experienced teachers are more likely to have higher national achievement.
Researchers have demonstrated that higher teacher pay helps reduce student dropout rates over time: a 10% pay increase results in 3-4% fewer dropouts.
Both math and English test scores are significantly higher in districts that offer higher base salaries to teachers.
Our pilot program embodies these principles, providing direct financial support to the educators who shape young minds every day.
How Our Pilot Works
Each participating teacher will receive $1,000 annually for two years, creating meaningful financial support that recognizes their invaluable contributions to education. The annual payments will be split into two payments of $500, made twice a year in May and December. This isn't just about the money. It's about sending a clear message that we value our educators and understand their worth to our communities.
With 50 teachers participating across both schools, we're creating a model that can be scaled and refined as we build our comprehensive approach to educational transformation. This pilot will serve as our laboratory, helping us understand the most effective ways to support teachers and, ultimately, improve student outcomes.
Why These Schools?
TMS and Wesley offer us exceptional opportunities to see our impact across diverse student populations, as each school represents different student demographics.
TMS serves 588 students in grades K-8, comprising a beautifully diverse community where 48.3% of the students are White, 33.6% are Black, 7.4% are Hispanic, and 4.0% are Asian. Additionally, 36% received free or reduced lunch, indicating that they required financial assistance. We value this diversity (spanning ethnicity and income levels) as it enables us to see our impact on a range of students.
Wesley serves approximately 800 students. It is classified as a Title I school institution, meaning it is eligible to receive federal funds due to the percentage of impoverished children it serves. It is also an International Baccalaureate World School. Wesley challenges students academically while celebrating cultural differences, values that align perfectly with our vision.
Both schools are charter institutions, offering the independence that enables innovative partnerships like ours to flourish. In addition, their leadership teams share our commitment to educational excellence and understand that great teachers are the foundation of student success.
Building Our Thesis
Although our thesis is grounded in supported study, we view our pilot program as both an investment and a research initiative. We'll carefully track outcomes, gather feedback, and refine our approach based on real-world results. The data and insights we collect will inform our broader strategy and help us scale our impact across American education. Plus, what we learn during the pilot, we will share with others. And that means you via future blog posts!
Standing Alone, Moving Forward
We stand alone as the only US public charity (501c3) created to elevate student outcomes by increasing teacher compensation. This distinction isn't just a point of pride. It's a responsibility. Our pilot program at TMS and Wesley marks the beginning of a movement to transform how America views education. We firmly believe (backed by research) that great teachers unlock students' potential, improving academics and changing lives. After we conclude this pilot, the sky is the limit!
If you would like to support our efforts, please feel free to get involved. And if you really want to help drive change, donations are a great way to do so!
