- Salaries are to be based on advancement within what state officials term “a four-step career path.” Beginning educators would be paired with mentors, participate in a comprehensive induction program, and earn a minimum of $28,000. Pay would increase at a minimum of $2,000, $5,000, and $14,500 as educators moved through the phases of the salary schedule. Local unions could negotiate larger raises.
- Advancement within the career ladder would be based on comprehensive evaluations completed by highly skilled administrators, and, in the final step, a regional assessment panel made up of administrators and teachers from outside the teacher’s district. Such evaluations would be required every five years, or sooner, if requested by teachers aiming to advance. In addition, all educators would receive annual performance reviews conducted by administrators for professional-development purposes only.
- Educators would be evaluated based on eight standards outlined by state lawmakers. The education department would be responsible for fleshing out the details.
- Cash bonuses of about $2,000 would be given annually to employees working in schools where students had made gains in achievement. Local districts would define the requisite gains and the assessments to be used.
