Several U.S. states are considering proposals that would base teacher pay on student test scores rather than seniority.
Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski has introduced legislation that would award bonuses of $1,000 to $5,500 to school administrators, teachers and support staff in schools that significantly boost student performance on standardized test, Stateline.org reported. Top teachers in Massachusetts would receive cash bonuses of up to $15,000 under Gov. Mitt Romney's proposal.
Similar measures are being considered by lawmakers in Alabama and Mississippi, which -- along with Hawaii -- are also looking at providing financial incentives to teachers who agree to work in hard-to-staff schools.
Supporters say the changes will attract higher-quality educators and reward the ones who get better results in the classroom or take on tough assignments, Stateline said.
State teachers' unions, however, have defeated many attempts to reform teacher pay. Of the 14 states that considered teacher pay proposals last year, Minnesota was the only state to adopt new legislation.
© Copyright 2006 by United Press International
