Retaining Effective Teachers Policy
Louisiana supports differential pay by which a teacher can earn additional compensation by teaching certain subjects. As part of the Critical Teacher Shortage Incentive Program, the state defines mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics and special education as shortage areas. The state offers $3,000 per year for every four consecutive years of teaching to newly certified teachers who agree to teach in one of these subjects at the elementary or secondary level.
Louisiana also supports differential pay for those teaching in high-needs schools. Teachers serving in low-performing or Title I schools are eligible to receive an additional $6,000 per year for up to four years. Teachers of "exceptional children in special schools" are offered a base salary plus 10-percent.
Teachers who are National Board Certified are eligible to receive a $5,000 annual supplement. However, this differential pay is not tied to high-needs schools or subject-area shortages.
Consider tying National Board supplements to teaching in high-needs schools.
This differential pay could be an incentive to attract some of the state's most effective teachers to its low-performing schools.
Louisiana recognized the factual accuracy of this analysis.