New teacher pay system has potential pitfalls
Portland Press Herald, November 30, 2006

(excerpt) The Portland School Committee and the teachers union have approved a new, three-year contract that is expected to raise teacher pay by a total of 13 percent in that period. Some of that is a cost-of-living increase, but the contract also restructures salary grades and offers new ways for teachers to raise their pay.

Previously, teachers had two ways to advance: longevity and degree attainment. By earning one or two master's degrees, or a Ph.D., teachers could qualify for higher pay. Their wages would also go up a step each year over 31 years.

Now there are 10 annual steps and more options for moving ahead in terms of qualifications. A teacher could earn as much as $78,420, while starting pay at the lowest grade would be $33,336.

To qualify for new pay grades, teachers no longer have to earn a degree. Instead, they can get credit for college course work and for taking on professional tasks that enhance their skills. For instance, developing a new curriculum might be seen as a skill-builder worthy of higher pay.

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