Report Proposes Merit Pay Increases for Teachers

By SLJ Staff -- School Library Journal, 4/13/2007

Imagine if teachers’ salaries were based on their performance? A new report suggests to radically alter the way teachers are compensated—although base pay would still be tied to someone’s level of experience, teachers could earn more money through a variety of incentives as they progress from “novice” to “expert.”

“Performance-Pay for Teachers: Designing a System that Students Deserve” recommends increasing teachers’ salaries based on student progress, professional improvement, school and community leadership, and collaborative work, including mentoring and coaching.

The report, by the Teacher Leaders Network, an independent, Web-based teacher organization, was produced after a year of research by a team of 18 award-winning teachers, including former National Teacher of the Year Betsy Rogers and four winners of the Milken teaching award.

“These are the authentic voices of educators who have been successful with every kind of student, in every kind of school,” says team member Lisa Suarez-Caraballo, a bilingual math teacher in inner-city Cleveland and winner of the Milken National Educator award. “We know how teachers think and what will motivate them.”

In order to improve learning for all students, says the report, merit increases must not only benefit all teachers, they must also provide incentives to attract and retain quality teachers and support their professional development in meaningful ways.

To read the full report, go to www.teachingquality.org.