National Journal Online -- Education Experts -- What Effect Will D.C. Teachers' New Contract Have?

National Journal Online -- Education Experts -- What Effect Will D.C. Teachers' New Contract Have?

What Effect Will D.C. Teachers' New Contract Have?

After two and a half years of emotional and controversial negotiations, the Washington, D.C., teachers union ratified a new contract last week that dilutes the strength of seniority protections and introduces a voluntary pay-for-performance program. Union members approved the new agreement overwhelmingly in a 1,412-425 vote. The new contract includes a pay raise of 21.6 percent over five years (retroactive to the expiration of the old contract) that will raise average annual salary from $67,000 to $81,000. Philanthropic support made the generous financial package possible. Under the new regime, principals will use job performance, as opposed to seniority, as the top criterion to make decisions about staff reductions when budget or program changes require it.

Will the new contract lead to improved performance at D.C. schools? Should other cities look for foundation support to supplement teacher pay? What are the national implications?

-- Eliza Krigman, NationalJournal.com

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RESPONDED ON JUNE 10, 2010 2:55 PM

How to fund teacher pay model

Gregory McGinity

Senior Director of Policy, Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation

Yes, the new D.C. contract has the elements necessary to position Washington D.C. to achieve higher levels of student and teacher performance, for all the reasons listed by Weisberg, Klein and others. This is why we are supporting it with funds. But there seems to be much skepticism regarding whether the model can be similarly funded and sustained in other cities. We think it can, through an all-important route that hasn’t yet been discussed.

Here is how.

Beyond the obvious sources of potential funding for performance-based compensation and higher teacher salaries, like federal funding, tax levies (Denver levied a parcel tax in order to fund teacher bonuses) and philanthropic dollars, school district central offices can also free up substantial existing funds.

How? By simply becoming efficient organizations with lower overhead,