In Florida, state economists predicted $4 billion more only with taxpayers’ money. In Idaho, where Gov. Brad Little approved $1,000 bon...
In Florida, state economists predicted $4 billion more only with taxpayers’ money. In Idaho, where Gov. Brad Little approved $1,000 bonuses and up to 10% pay raises for teachers, economists expected to see another $1.6 billion. at the end of the fiscal year, in June.
Thomas S. Dee, an economist and professor at Stanford University, said states should have used the money to target high-performing teachers, or those in subjects, such as special education and science, who are often difficult to fill.
“I think it’s a good idea to pay teachers more in light of inflation and in light of what they’ve been through for the past two years,” he said. “But I really see a missed opportunity in terms of elevating the teaching profession and improving teacher effectiveness.”
Dr. Dee points to the school district of Washington, DC, which introduce a program which targeted salary increases on the best performing teachers and fired those who failed to meet standards, and were therefore already more likely to leave. In a recent review of this program, Dr. Dee said the program helped students with their performance.
This goes against what most of these participating states are currently doing, Dr. Dee said, where every teacher, regardless of their job, gets a pay raise.
“It doesn’t target where turnover and shortages are most prevalent and have their most deleterious effects,” he said.
Mrs. Smith, the Mississippi teacher, isn’t sure what she plans to do with her $5,100 pay raise, but she has some ideas. Her car sputters, so she can use the money to buy a new one. And there is always the possibility of spoiling his grandchildren.
“I think it means more now, not just because it’s financial, but because of when it’s happening at the end of the pandemic,” she said. “It’s that little extra push. It’s our pat on the back to keep going and keep going. Because the last two years have been really tough.
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