A plan developed with the assistance of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association and backed by the school board would replace the traditional teacher salary schedule with a system of incentives based on performance if teachers vote to approve it next year. Salary increases and bonuses would be awarded to proven teachers who work in low-achieving schools and to other teachers meeting rigorous expectations, with teachers able to earn up to $90,000 early in their careers. (A pilot pay-for-performance program that has been operating in a few Denver schools since 1999-2000 rewards teachers for meeting goals they set for themselves.) The new plan will be discussed over the next several months and a vote is scheduled for March 2004.
"DPS considers merit pay," by Monte Whaley, The Denver Post, April 23, 2003
"New pay scale possible for Denver teachers," by Holly Yettick, The Rocky Mountain News, April 19, 2003