Teachers’ Salaries Face Major Overhaul
Proposed Bill would Tie Teachers' Pay to Student Performance
Public school teachers in Palmetto Bay, and throughout Florida may see their salaries undergo a major overhaul if a proposed bill in Tallahassee is passed.
Florida lawmakers are considering legislation to revamp how teachers are evaluated, paid, and fired.
In what could be Florida’s biggest overhaul in the state’s education system in a decade, the proposed bill would eliminate tenure, and tie half of teachers’ pay to student performance.
The passage of bill SB6 would make Florida the first state in the nation to hinge such a large part of a teacher’s salary on student performance.
While the prospect has many teachers concerned, it is strongly supported by Florida’s governor, Charlie Crist. Says Crist, “…if we base how we compensate our teachers on how their students perform, it seems like a very natural thing.”
If the measure becomes law, supporters and critics agree it will dramatically change teaching in Florida. The debate is whether that change will be for better or for worse.
Those in favor of the proposal say the current system makes it too easy for bad teachers to stay in classrooms. They believe the overhaul would enhance the quality of education by paying more to teachers whose students show greater gains and to teachers who take on challenging assignments in low-income, high-need areas.
Opponents of the overhaul claim the bill is a slap in the face to teachers who have helped raise student performance and boosted Florida schools’ national rankings. “SB6 punishes the teachers who delivered these stunning results,” according to Florida Education Association president, Andy Ford.
The Senate bill is expected to go to the full chamber early this legislative session, but the House is still drafting its own version.
EPB would like to hear from you. What would the impact be locally? Do you think the proposed change will improve or harm education in Palmetto Bay’s public schools? Share your comments with us, and we’ll post them on the blog for all to see.
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