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U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings today visited Westcott Elementary School in Chicago and delivered remarks on No Child Left Behind and the importance of rewarding effective educators during an award ceremony for selected Chicago Public Schools (CPS) teachers and principals. Secretary Spellings joined CPS Chief Executive Officer Arne Duncan and Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley for the event.

"Recruiting and retaining good teachers is key to closing the achievement gap and preparing all students to compete in the 21st century," said Secretary Spellings. "Yet one-third of new teachers leave within five years and in high-poverty schools, about half leave within five years. Chicago is on the cutting edge of a movement to reward teachers for taking on more challenging assignments and getting results. I'm proud that my department is supporting these awards and helping to make a difference for Chicago school children."

Educators recognized at today's ceremony were selected through the CPS Teacher Advancement Program (Chicago TAP), which offers performance-based compensation for measurable improvements in teaching skills and student performance. Chicago TAP is funded in part through the U.S. Department of Education's Teacher Incentive Fund (TIF), which supports financial incentive programs for teachers and principals who improve student academic performance and close the achievement gap in high-need schools.

To date, CPS has received approximately $11 million as part of a five-year $27 million grant. Since 2006, $196 million in TIF grants have been awarded to 34 grantees throughout the U.S. CPS is collaborating with the Chicago Teachers Union, Chicago Principals and Administrators Association, National Institute for Excellence in Teaching and the Chicago Public Education Fund. The Chicago TAP program is also receiving support from the Broad Foundation and the Joyce Foundation.

For more information about the U.S. Department of Education's Teacher Incentive Fund, visit http://www.ed.gov/programs/teacherincentive/index.html .

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