Teacher Compensation Policy
Shortage-subject areas: Delaware offers the High Needs Educator Student Loan Payment Program, which provides loan assistance for those teaching shortage-subject areas. To qualify, teachers must have received a rating of at least "effective" on their most recent evaluation. Awards must be at least $1,000 and may not exceed $2,000.
High-need schools: Delaware offers the High Needs Educator Student Loan Payment Program, which provides loan assistance for those teaching in high-need schools. To qualify, teachers must have received a rating of at least "effective" on their most recent evaluation. Awards must be at least $1,000 and may not exceed $2,000.
Teachers who are National Board Certified are eligible to receive a salary supplement equal to 12% of base salary. However, this type
of differential pay is not tied to teaching at high-need schools.
Expand differential pay initiative for teachers in shortage-subject areas and high-need schools.
Although the state's loan assistance program is a desirable recruitment and retention tool for teachers early in their careers, Delaware should expand its program to include those who are already part of the teaching pool. A salary differential is an attractive incentive for every teacher.
Consider tying National Board supplements to teaching in high-need schools.
This differential pay could be an incentive to attract some of Delaware's most accomplished teachers to low-performing schools.
Delaware was helpful in providing NCTQ with the facts necessary for this analysis. The state added that there was a study examining the Delaware Talent Cooperative. Evidence from the study showed that while DTC schools did retain teachers at higher rates, the rates couldn't be attributed to DTC itself. The program was discontinued.
Delaware also noted that it provides financial support for yearlong residencies, particularly for those in hard-to-staff high need schools and high needs critical needs subject areas. Specifically, resident stipends must be at least $25,000 for residents in high-needs schools, and $20,000 for residents seeking certification in high-need subject areas (math, science, language, special education, English learners). "While this program focusses on educator preparation, it does speak to our commitment of placing high-quality educators in every classroom."
8B: High-Need Schools and Subjects
States should help address chronic shortages and needs. States should ensure that state-level policies (such as a uniform salary schedule) do not interfere with districts' flexibility in compensating teachers in ways that best meet their individual needs and resources. However, when it comes to addressing chronic shortages, states should do more than simply get out of the way. They should provide direct support for differential pay for effective teaching in shortage subject areas and high-need schools.[1] Attracting effective and qualified teachers to high-need schools or filling vacancies in hard-to-staff subjects are problems that are frequently beyond a district's ability to solve. States that provide direct support for differential pay in these areas are taking an important step in promoting the equitable distribution of quality teachers.[2] Short of providing direct support, states can also use policy levers to indicate to districts that differential pay is not only permissible but necessary.