Performance pay systems approved by ADE

A $2.5M annual pilot program created by Act 1029 of 2007 (the Rewarding Excellence in Achievement Program) will go into effect after yesterday's unanimous approval by the Arkansas Department of Education, which also promulgated rules for the program. The Rewarding Excellence in Achievement Program will allow schools and districts to apply and participate toprovide pay increases to teachers based on both student achievement gains on state-mandated tests and objective evaluations of a teacher’s knowledge and skills. It was advocated by Governor Beebe and enacted without a heated merit pay debate.

The board also approved rules for the Arkansas Alternative Pay Programs (Act 847 of 2007). Funding for these programs will come from existing district revenue.

In other "performance pay" news at the ADE monthly board meeting, a program will be offered that will pay students for high exam scores in advanced placement math, science or English.