Districts have much work to do to improve their teacher policies, according to two new NCTQ publications released by NCTQ in January.

"Restructuring Teacher Pay to Reward Excellence" focuses on compensation reform efforts around the nation, showing that tough economic times needn't serve as roadblocks to reform, but as opportunities for reform. And while some notable efforts to reward top teachers have relied on outside funding, there are a number of districts successfully looking within their own budgets to reform teacher pay.

In the latest of NCTQ's series of district-specific examinations of teacher quality, a study of the Kansas City, Missouri School District, finds that the district faces some significant contractual and statutory obstacles, such as seniority based staffing and layoff provisions. However, more importantly, it is how this troubled district conducts its daily business that needs to be the primary focus for improving teacher quality.