Alpine District's plan has two segments. First, teachers will be evaluated and assessed as a team based on 22 different points, including alignment to the state core and curriculum mapping. Second, teacher teams will be assessed by a committee comprised of the school principal, PTA or PTSO president and school community council chairperson.

"That way there is parent representation," said Rob Smith, Alpine District business administrator.

In Alpine, a team would consist, for example, of all first-grade teachers at one school or all the teachers in a high school science department.

"Our focus is on collaboration," Smith said. "By using a team incentive, we are hoping that information, best practices and teaching strategies are shared."

Washington District's plan, approved last week, has five levels and is based on teams. "Any performance-based pay that pits teachers against each other in the long run will lead to a less functional school," Proffit said.

The plan starts with team collaboration; implementation of instruction; and student achievement — which includes U-PASS scores.

The fourth level is leadership, and includes principals, team leaders and staff developers. They get bonus money if their teams pass levels one and three.

The fifth level is only if there is money left over. The funds would be distributed to schools that succeeded in levels two and three and/or had 10 percent gains in U-PASS.

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E-mail: astewart@desnews.com