Branstad considering 'pay for performance' for teachers

Jobs and the economy might be Governor-elect Terry Branstad's number one priority, but at a town hall meeting this morning in Marion, he mentioned a controversial strategy to improve Iowa's education system. It's paying teachers for high student test scores.  Most teachers and unions universally oppose so-called “pay for performance.”

Branstad noted that Iowa's achievement scores have dropped since the 1990s.  He says the state isn't focusing enough on math and science.  He says making teachers more accountable is the key.

“The focus is going to be on achievement and it's going to be on accountability,” Branstad said.

Branstad told more than 60 community members and local politicians that the state isn't measuring up in education.

“We need to go to a system that rewards teachers that focuses on getting the best teachers and rewards teachers on the achievement of their students,” he said.

It's commonly known as ‘pay for performance.”  It's a controversial issue that some teachers aren't too excited about.

Vice President of the Iowa State Education Association Tammy Wawro says if the governor plans to move forward with his plan, he needs to provide adequate funding.  She says the system shouldn't be based upon student test scores.  Teachers should be paid based on how they perform in the classroom.  If it's based solely on student score, then that may lead to teachers leaving struggling schools for schools in more affluent neighborhoods where student performance is historically better.

Wawro says there's also not enough research to support that this "pay for performance" system would even work.  But Lieutenant Governor-elect Kim Reynolds told the crowd that these new state standards won't come without some leniency.

“Setting strict high state standards by giving teachers and school boards the flexibility to meet those standards so they can actually teach the kids,” Reynold said.

As Branstad and Reynolds make their way across the state in these town hall meetings, they're asking for the public's input on how to better the state on every issue on their website and on Facebook.  Branstad also promised to continue trips to the state's 99 counties each year.