Texas districts participating in teacher merit-pay plan reap financial windfall
The Dallas Morning News reports that as the number of school districts dropping out of Texas’ teacher merit-pay plan increases, those remaining are reaping a financial windfall from the $148 million program. Fewer than one in five districts in the state have decided to participate, leaving more money on the table for the 192 school districts that want to reward their best teachers, based on test scores and other factors, with bonuses of at least $3,000. The Dallas school district will receive $10.5 million from the state, up nearly 50% from the originally projected amount, and fifteen area districts have picked up an extra $11.3 million because of other districts dropping out. That means an additional 3,800 teachers in the Dallas area could get bonuses under the District Awards for Teacher Excellence program. Most of the districts that have stayed clear of or dropped out of the incentive pay plan have cited financial concerns, including the 15% local match requirement to qualify for a state grant. Others have cited sharp opposition from their teachers. According to Texas Education Agency (TEA) officials, the high percentage of districts choosing not to participate was primarily the result of misinformation, much of it spread by critics of the program. TEA’s Jerel Booker cites as an example the erroneous belief that the local match from school districts had to be cash. In fact, the match can be in-kind contributions, such as donations from school supporters or use of school resources. Mr. Booker also acknowledged there was some concern about whether the program will be funded in the future. While legislative supporters have indicated the program will be funded for another two years, the program's future was placed in doubt when a House debate last year initially resulted in a majority of members voting to cut off funding. In the meantime, TEA officials this summer will examine each school district and charter school's plan for awarding the money to teachers.
Teacher groups, who are among the biggest critics of the plans, are not surprised by the large number of districts that decided to forgo the state money. Richard Kouri of the Texas State Teachers Association believes the lack of interest comes in part from the reluctance of school districts to give even more emphasis to the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, which will be used in awarding bonuses under the program. “I don't see much desire to make the stakes any higher than they already are on standardized testing," he said. He also noted that teachers were supposed to be consulted before a local plan was implemented. “If teachers have an option, most don't have a favorable opinion about merit pay,” he said.
Source: Dallas Morning News, 6/21/08, By Terrence Stutz
[Editor’s Note: More on this and other such programs is available starting at the first link below. Meanwhile, the Washington Post reports below that a proposed merit pay plan in Prince George’s County, Maryland, is drawing local teacher union support.]
NSBA School Law pages on Texas merit pay plan
Washington Post, 6/25/08, By Nelson Hernandez