Carper Unveils Plan to Improve Teacher Salaries, Accountability

By Joetta L. Sack

Gov. Thomas R. Carper of Delaware is calling for significant increases in teacher salaries tied to a professional-development and teacher-accountability plan.

Mr. Carper, a second-term Democrat, wants to raise the salaries of beginning teachers, which start at about $28,000, by a one-time 13 percent increase during one of their first three years, and give more experienced teachers an additional one-time 4 percent raise on top of what they currently make. In addition, teachers would be compensated for advanced skills and knowledge and for serving as academic leaders in their schools.