Cargill Promotes Teacher Merit Pay Idea

Tuesday, August 14th 2007, 5:40 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ House Republican leaders on Tuesday kicked off a campaign to develop a merit pay plan for teachers, an issue that has been divisive in the past in Oklahoma and other states.

Speaker Lance Cargill, R-Harrah, said the concept is one he believes most Oklahomans support.

``We fund our schools with tax dollars, and taxpayers demand accountability. More money alone wonâ€™t solve our problems in education,'' he said.

``Only investment coupled with higher standards, rising expectations and meaningful results can create the education system all Oklahomans deserve. By rewarding teachers based on their performance, were raising the bar for education all across the state.''

Cargill was joined at a news conference by House Education Chairman Tad Jones, R-Claremore, and Rep. Earl Sears, R-Bartlesville, a former middle school principal.

Jones will conduct five hearings on the issue beginning Aug. 21 and ending Oct. 9. Sears will head up an advisory committee.

Jones said Oklahoma took a step toward performance pay over the past few years by introducing the Academic Achievement Awards to provide cash bonuses for teachers. But he said the state needs to do more.

``To compete in today's world, we must look at tying results to salary levels,'' he said. ``We have many fine, hardworking teachers in Oklahoma. And our teachers that do a great job should have the opportunity to make more money so they will stay in the classroom.''

``Quality teachers are among the most important factors that determine student success. We should be providing incentives and rewards for our best and brightest,'' Sears said.

Gary Ritter, who holds an endowed chair in education policy at the University of Arkansas, is among those scheduled to speak at the first hearing this month.

The next hearing, scheduled on Sept. 11, will include testimony from teacher organizations, superintendents, principals and school boards.

Merit pay proposals have long drawn opposition from teachers' unions.

``Our elected officials promised to get Oklahoma teachers to the regional average (in pay) and we expect them to keep that promise,'' said Becky Felts, vice president of the Oklahoma Education Association. ``As teachers go back to school this week, they are at least $1,000 below the regional average in compensation. Secondly, it is extremely important for Speaker Cargill to take input from those who are most involved in public education _ the classroom teacher.''

Senate President Pro Tem Mike Morgan, D-Stillwater, said Democrats had led the fight to raise teacher pay to the regional average and have supported ``fairness in any teacher pay plan that has been signed into law.''

Morgan said merit pay is one way to bring accountability to the classroom and ``we are certainly intrigued by the idea. But we want to ensure fairness and objectivity in any merit-based plan that is put forth in the next legislative session.''

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