From Deseret News archives:
School board approves many merit-pay plans
The board met Thursday at Southern Utah University in Cedar City. Meetings continue through today.
Thursday's vote means many Utah teachers are one step closer to getting more money if their performance is above par during the upcoming school year.
The vote was 10-1, with the dissenting vote from board member Bill Colbert of Draper. He said he felt a higher standard should be held for the plans, with "some means of measurement."
The individual plans are proposed by school districts and charter schools. A total of 87 merit plans were received last month out of a possible 108, according to the Utah State Office of Education.
Eight of the 87 plans, labeled as "vague," are still pending board approval. School districts and charter schools that handed in plans lacking sufficient detail have until Sept. 1 to revamp their proposals. Districts and charter schools responsible for these plans will be notified via letter, according to office officials.
The board's green light for the complete and detailed plans is dependent on approval by the local boards of districts and charter schools, which haven't yet acted. The redone plans also need local board approval.
All local board approval plans must be done by Sept. 1. The compensation-based plans are required by SB281, passed in the 2008 legislative session.
During the past few months, school districts and charter schools statewide have been developing their own unique plans to distribute legislative funding based on how well an educator is doing the job.
"Some plans are very detailed, and others are not detailed at all," said Larry Shumway, associate superintendent of law, legislation and educational services for the state office.
Some board members have pointed out the districts and charter schools had an extremely limited time to do their proposals. Washington School District, lauded for its extremely thorough plan, actually began work before the legislation even went through.
"They anticipated what was going to happen," Shumway said. "They were readyto ready to go."
Recent comments
Another method of making teachers jump through hoops', do more work...
Proud Mary | July 20, 2008 at 10:28 p.m.
Professionals in almost every field get paid more based on...
jdegaston | July 17, 2008 at 8:58 p.m.
I appreciate your post.
It was one of the most intelligent...
re:Luke | July 11, 2008 at 10:44 p.m.
- Mitchell called intelligent, controlling 1:19 a.m.
- Brems outlasts 2nd round of votes 1:04 a.m.
- 2 families divided over slaying 1:04 a.m.
- Teen shot in scuffle with trooper 1:03 a.m.
- Nature's Way leaving Utah County 1:03 a.m.
- 'Grandfamilies' a growing trend 12:31 a.m.
- 'Cyber Monday' sales top records 12:29 a.m.
- 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game 12:26 a.m.
- No drugs in driver of Am.F. band bus 12:15 a.m.
- Governor Mansion to begin free tours 12:14 a.m.
- Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
- Y. student vanished in China
- Utes won't respond to Hall
- Max Hall issues apology
- Hall reprimanded by MWC
- Cougs begin bowl preparations
- Teen shot in scuffle with trooper
- Mitchell called intelligent, controlling
- Matthews passes new Jazz tests
- Daughter: Mitchell fed me my pet
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
898 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
481 - Max Hall issues apology
379 - Hall reprimanded by MWC
370 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
316 - Utes won't respond to Hall
257 - BYU is champion of the state
140 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
121 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
120 - Religion in politics is tiresome
110
Live 'Twittologue' Dec. 2, 4:00 p.m. with Jason Chaffetz. Click for more.
I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on...
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
There are some games I love not on your list. Arkham Asylum for one.
Our parents made my brothers help kill and clean our rabbits before we ate...
Why would you keep it open? I would understand if there was a lot of amazing...
The government will run our health care well? Read Reader's Digest, November...
TCU stomped on the MWC so they are naturally ready to crush Florida, Alabama...
could you understand Dave Locke any more than my mom does and she is not even...
Attending the ND/BYU game 3 years ago in south bend, a couple of things stuck...
I missed the game, actually i heard a little bit of Locke on the radio (man...
quotes were good: Article was dumb and unnecessary.
I believe the art depicting Joseph looking at the plates may possibly be...

