Legislative Staff Release

Published: 21-Apr-2010

School districts would be able to give teachers financial incentives in an effort to improve student performance if legislation passed by the House today becomes law.

Senate Bill 2033, sponsored in the House by Speaker Chris Benge, authorizes school districts to establish incentive pay programs for teachers and administrators.

“It is time we draw a line in the sand and say the status quo will no longer be good enough in our state. If we are serious about improving student performance, we have to think outside the box and provide a variety of education options that best fit each student’s needs,” said Benge, a Republican from Tulsa.

The legislation states that the incentives should be based upon student and school performance growth and aspects such as leadership skills, organizational and classroom management skills and instructional leadership.

The bill requires school districts to submit their performance pay plans to the State Board of Education for approval.

“This legislation will reward good teachers and administrators for their extra efforts to help our students succeed,” said Rep. Earl Sears, a Bartlesville Republican who carried the bill on the floor. “If this will help us contend for Race to the Top funds, we have an obligation to our students to make every effort we can to make our state more competitive. Through this reform, we will be able to reward those teachers who excel in our classrooms for our children.”

The bill passed the House with a vote of 61-37 and now goes to conference for further consideration.