A statewide pay-incentive program for teachers willing to take the toughest assignments was among the ideas pitched by lawmakers Wednesday in a forum with Colorado journalists.
House Speaker Andrew Romanoff said the state could fund a pay-for-performance system by decreasing pensions and strengthening incentives earlier in a teacher’s career.
The Denver Democrat suggested following Denver Public Schools’ model, which rewards teachers based on what they teach, where they teach and how well their students do on state tests. Romanoff said the state has to do a better job of giving bright, motivated people incentives to be teachers and rewarding those quality teachers who have stayed in the profession despite the appeal of more lucrative jobs.
“We’ve relied, really, on the kindness of strangers,” he said. “And that, in my opinion, isn’t a durable strategy.”
But Romanoff’s proposal — like most of those tossed out at the forum — is far from becoming law.
The legislature convenes Jan. 9.
The lawmakers — the leaders of both parties in the House and the Senate as well as Gov. Bill Ritter — discussed issues they expect to play a role in the upcoming legislative session. Besides public education, topics included health care, transportation, higher education and the environment.
Staff writer John Ingold contributed to this report.
Jennifer Brown: 303-954-1593 or jenbrown@denverpost.com
