This year will

mark the fourth time that East Fayette has participated in the program.

In fact, it is the only school in the county to be approved to take part

in the program four times.

The PfP program

provides a group incentive award to schools that demonstrate exemplary

performance and collaboration. The program is open to all K-12 public

schools in Georgia.

PfP awards

are made to schools rather than to individuals. The program is conducted

in accordance with state law and state Board of Education rule.

To attain a

PfP award, a school must identify and subsequently meet a comprehensive

set of exemplary performance objectives. Performance objectives must be

developed in four categories: academic achievement, client involvement,

educational programming and resource development.

Schools with

approved applications have a school year to achieve performance objectives.

At the end of the school year, a final report must be submitted which

documents the status for each performance objective in the approved application.

For schools

receiving awards, certified personnel employed during the implementation

year must determine by consensus how the awards are to be spent.

Currently,

East Fayette, along with Oak Grove Elementary, Peachtree City Elementary

and Rising Starr Middle, are waiting to learn if they will receive Pay

for Performance awards for their participation in the program during the

2000-2001 academic year.

East Fayette

is the only school in the system to receive two awards. In 1998, the school

received $82,000 that it used to purchase computers and printers for every

classroom. The school earned another award in 2000 that amounted to $110,000.

The majority of that award was divided among all faculty and staff at

the school as an incentive for meeting their objectives. Part of the award

money also was used to enhance technology at the school.

"I believe

everyone students, teachers and staff members benefits from the program

because it forces us to work together as a team to reach a common goal,"

said Faith Hardnett, principal of East Fayette Elementary School.

If the school

wins its third award, Hardnett said, the money once again will be used

toward technology and teacher incentives.

"If we

do get [the award] we don't know how much it will be but part of the money

will go toward enhancing technology training that teachers have already

received. Teachers will learn how to use PowerPoint and then teach the

children how to make PowerPoint presentations," Hardnett explained.

Having participated

in PfP three times and received awards twice to date, Hardnett has been

asked by other schools and school systems to consult with them on their

application process. In Fayette, she has worked with Huddleston Elementary,

Peachtree City Elementary and Rising Starr Middle schools as well as the

Coweta County School System and systems in several south Georgia counties.

"This

is something I really enjoy doing," said Hardnett. "I think

PfP is such a great program. I wish everyone who is selected to participate

could get an award."