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9 a.m. -- There's a place for merit pay for teachers, but the unions must get on board. What job doesn't have any sort of accountability? Also, is this going to make our teachers better?SALT LAKE CITY -- Most teachers' pay is based on years of experience and educational background. But this year, five pilot schools will give educators the chance to earn up to an additional $2,000 for success in the classroom.
Rep. Greg Hughes, R-Draper, sponsored the 2009 bill that created a pay-for-performance pilot program in Utah. "It is a way for us to identify educators who are going above and beyond and rewarding their extra effort, rewarding excellence in education," said Hughes.
The Utah Education Association opposed the bill. UEA president Sharon Gallagher-Fishbaugh says some of the issues about merit pay that concern teachers are equitable funding for all teachers and sustainability of the program at a time when school budgets are already tight.
I am concerned, quite frankly, that we are engaging in a discussion about another funding piece when we have not been able to fund growth of 11,000 students coming into our classrooms in the next two weeks.
–Sharon Gallagher-Fishbaugh
"I am concerned, quite frankly, that we are engaging in a discussion about another funding piece when we have not been able to fund growth of 11,000 students coming into our classrooms in the next two weeks," said Gallagher-Fishbaugh.
Related:
Sunday Edition: Teacher merit pay, Education standards
In this Sunday Edition, KSL's Richard Piatt discusses the best way to reward exceptional teachers. In addition, we explore how high-poverty schools are now meeting No Child Left Behind standards and a new set of national education standards adopted by the state board of education.The Utah State Legislature granted the schools $300,000 to develop the performance pay model and gave guidelines. All the plans need to reward 40 percent of the pay based on student achievement, another 40 percent based on teacher instruction, and the other 20 percent based on parent satisfaction.
For years, many teaching unions have opposed the idea of merit pay. They say pay based on things like test scores make for a poor evaluation method, but the merit pay movement is gaining momentum across the country.
Pres. Barack Obama has said he wants to increase the number of school districts that benefit from the federal program Race to the Top. Utah has lost two bids to participate and win $175 million in school reform. To win the money, Utah needed to show its commitment to rewarding teacher effectiveness.
A statewide performance pay system failed in the legislature last year. Whether or not the idea is pushed again could depend on how well the pilot program works.
"Based on its success we'll tinker or change things and hopefully launch it statewide in sessions to come," said Hughes.
A total of 19 schools applied for the merit pay pilot program but only five were chosen: Ashman Elementary in Richfield, Manila Elementary in Pleasant Grove, Midway Elementary in Midway, and two charter schools: Canyon Rim Academy in Salt Lake City and Wasatch Peak Academy in North Salt Lake.
E-mail:cmadsen@ksl.com
