Baltimore’s teaching corps has ratified a contract that does away with many of the features of the traditional “step and lane” salary schedule in favor of a heavier emphasis on teacher performance. Members of the Baltimore Teachers Union had rejected a similar proposal in October.
The new contract, approved by the rank and file last month, restructures the base-pay system for teachers, which in nearly every district in the country is based on credentials and longevity. In Baltimore, automatic “step” increases each year will be eliminated and raises will be based on evaluations and participation in professional development. The emphasis on graduate credits will be greatly reduced, with one credit equal to just one achievement unit, while a superior evaluation will earn 12 units.
Teachers also will be able to advance on a career ladder more quickly under the new contract by taking on additional roles as they earn good evaluations and pass a peer review.
