Alaska officials are preparing to craft regulations for a new incentive program that offers a range of school employees cash bonuses for improved student academic performance.
The three-year trial program, which the legislature approved last month, was scaled back from the proposal initially unveiled by Gov. Frank H. Murkowski, a Republican, and state Commissioner of Education Roger Sampson earlier this year.
Under the $8.5 million program, employees with certification, such as teachers and principals, can get up to $5,500 for raising scores on state tests. Other employees, such as custodians and teachers’ aides, can get up to $2,500.
Citing budgetary concerns, legislators decided that no more than 850 certified employees could receive the bonuses per year.
