At least 15 teachers have applied for transfers out of Lincoln next year, an unusually high number, he said.

Yet, he said, competent white teachers do not apply to his school.

However, teachers must apply to the central organization in Seattle and be accepted as competent before they are allowed to lead groups.

If a teacher who was laid off applies to fill a job opening, he or she is given priority over other applicants.

Studies have shown that few teachers apply sunscreen to their charges or encourage children to wear hats when they go out to play.

Some teachers have already applied innovative methods to appeal to students.

More than 3,000 teachers have applied, though they have until next month to withdraw their applications.

About 600 teachers applied to transfer into the 39 schools that offered the incentive last year, and about 300 were accepted.

About 500 licensed teachers within the system have applied to work in the district, and 219 have been accepted.

Most teachers using the method do not apply it in all their classes or all the time.