A Florida mayor with a pioneering vision for education reform has given new priority to rewarding successful school leaders.

      In October, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker unveiled the High School Principal Incentive Program, which will provide financial bonuses to principals and assistant principals whose schools improve their rating on Florida’s School Accountability Report (SAR). The SAR issues letter grades to all Florida schools based on measured levels of achievement and growth in reading, math, and writing from the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT).

      To receive an A on the SAR, a minimum of 95 percent of a school’s students must be tested. Participation below 90 percent can reduce a score. At least half of the lowest-performing pupils must demonstrate improvement for a school to earn a C or better.

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