Iowa Approves Performance Pay For Its Teachers

By Julie Blair

Lawmakers in Iowa discarded their traditional teacher-compensation system last week and voted to replace it with one that would pay educators based on their performance in the classroom and students' achievement, rather than on the number of years spent teaching.

The $40 million package, believed to be the first of its kind in the nation, not only would radically alter the statewide salary structure, but also would articulate standards for educators, reinvent the evaluation system, and outline a teacher-bonus plan. That plan would allocate cash rewards for teachers and others employed in schools whose pupils showed improvement on assessments.

After nearly dying earlier this spring, the measure was passed last week by both chambers by substantial margins, but still must be signed into law by Gov. Tom Vilsack. Though one of the policy's main architects, the Democrat has not said whether he will sign the measure, which many members...