Bubba-Joe
12-15-2004, 02:48 PM
Strayhorn seeks $3,000 raise for teachers
Proposal is part of $1 billion reform package By Jason Embry
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn plans to announce today that she is calling for a $3,000 raise for every public school teacher in Texas.
The proposed raises are part of a package of education proposals estimated that will cost $1 billion, said an official with the Association of Texas Professional Educators. Members of that and other teachers groups met with Strayhorn this morning.
Strayhorn also wants a state law that guarantees automatic raises for teachers every two years, a $2,500 bonus for teachers at schools that raise their accountability ratings from academically unacceptable to acceptable or better, and state-funded stipends for teachers who mentor other teachers. She planned to announce the proposals at an 11:30 news conference.
Teachers received a $3,000 across-the-board raise in 1999, signed into law by then-Gov. George W. Bush.
In the 2001 legislative session, teachers did not fare as well. A state reimbursement to pay for teachers' health insurance was reduced in most cases from $1,000 to $500 a year.
Last month, a group of business leaders who advise Gov. Rick Perry called for changes to teachers' salary scales that would move away from basing pay on seniority and put more emphasis on performance.
Proposal is part of $1 billion reform package By Jason Embry
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn plans to announce today that she is calling for a $3,000 raise for every public school teacher in Texas.
The proposed raises are part of a package of education proposals estimated that will cost $1 billion, said an official with the Association of Texas Professional Educators. Members of that and other teachers groups met with Strayhorn this morning.
Strayhorn also wants a state law that guarantees automatic raises for teachers every two years, a $2,500 bonus for teachers at schools that raise their accountability ratings from academically unacceptable to acceptable or better, and state-funded stipends for teachers who mentor other teachers. She planned to announce the proposals at an 11:30 news conference.
Teachers received a $3,000 across-the-board raise in 1999, signed into law by then-Gov. George W. Bush.
In the 2001 legislative session, teachers did not fare as well. A state reimbursement to pay for teachers' health insurance was reduced in most cases from $1,000 to $500 a year.
Last month, a group of business leaders who advise Gov. Rick Perry called for changes to teachers' salary scales that would move away from basing pay on seniority and put more emphasis on performance.