TeacherDollars Program Rewards Teachers Who Help Close Achievement Gap
HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ten Hartford public schools will be rewarded this school year through the Evolution Benefits TeacherDollars™ Program, which donates special-purpose debit cards to teachers in schools that have demonstrated marked improvement in the academic achievement of their students. This year, the total number of teachers receiving cards significantly increases from 280 in 2007/2008 to over 380 for the 2008/2009 school year. The cards function only at selected merchants who provide classroom-related products.
In order to be selected for TeacherDollars Program recognition, schools must demonstrate significant gains on key indicators of school progress, including results on Connecticut Mastery Tests. This year, the ten schools in Hartford meeting the criteria are Naylor School, Noah Webster MicroSociety Magnet School, Dwight Elementary School, Mary Hooker School, Wish School, West Middle School, Annie Fisher School, Kinsella Magnet School of the Arts, Pathways to Technology High School and Classical Magnet School. Each teacher, family resource aide and principal will be rewarded with a TeacherDollars Card valued at $200.
The teachers will be rewarded with the TeacherDollars Card at a special event, being held on Wednesday, September 24 from 4:00-5:00 P.M. at Wish Elementary School.
"This program gives me the freedom to purchase items I need for my classroom like classic novels and writing journals, which would normally be paid for out of my own pocket," said Emily Goetz, 11th grade teacher at Classical Magnet High School.
Superintendent Steven J. Adamowski commented, "The TeacherDollars Program is a great example of our local business community's commitment to the success of our school system. The program serves as a much-needed "thank you" to the teachers who work so hard to close the student achievement gap and prepare all our students for college – it means even more for them to know that the community cares." Adamowski continued, "A special thanks to Evolution Benefits and The Robert & Margaret Patricelli Family Foundation, who started the TeacherDollars Program three years ago, and to all the other donors for their generosity. This type of community support is imperative if we want to continue to improve student achievement in Hartford Public Schools."
The key fund sponsors for the TeacherDollars Cards this year are The Robert & Margaret Patricelli Family Foundation, The Newman's Own Foundation, Connecticut Light & Power, Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield, Northside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance, Inc. (NINA) and the employees of Evolution Benefits and Women's Health USA, Inc.
"We're thrilled that more schools are meeting or exceeding improvement standards," said Robert Patricelli, chairman and CEO of Evolution Benefits. "The goal of this program is to thank teachers for their dedication to student success."
Area businesses, foundations, organizations and individuals interested in contributing to expand the program to other schools in the Hartford area are encouraged to contact Lynda Godkin, TeacherDollars Program Coordinator at TeacherDollars@evolutionbenefits.com. The TeacherDollars Program was started with funding from The Robert & Margaret Patricelli Family Foundation, card technology from Evolution Benefits, and program leadership from the Hartford System of Schools.
About Evolution Benefits, Inc.
Evolution Benefits, Inc. is the industry leader in electronic benefit payment solutions for the employee benefits market. Its primary product, the Benny™ prepaid benefits card, applies advanced payment and patented auto-substantiation technologies to health-related benefits accounts. The company powers the programs of more than 200 health plan and administrative services organizations and covers more than 11,000 employers, including 100 of the nation's top-ranked Fortune and Forbes companies. For more information, visit www.EvolutionBenefits.com.
About The Hartford System of Schools
The Hartford System of Schools exists to provide all students with access to participation in a global economy through attainment of the academic standards set by the State of Connecticut and readiness for post-secondary education. It serves approximately 22,000 students in 44 schools. Additional information regarding the Hartford System of Schools is available at www.hartfordschools.org.
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