Teacher Compensation Policy
Shortage-subject Areas: Maine does not support differential pay by which a teacher can earn additional compensation by teaching certain subjects.
High-need Schools: Beginning school year 2020-21, teachers who earn National Board Certification and teach in a school in which at least 50% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch will receive a salary supplement of $5,000.
Support
differential pay initiatives for effective teachers in shortage-subject
areas.
Maine should encourage districts to link compensation to
district needs. Such policies can help districts achieve a more equitable
distribution of teachers.
Maine did not respond to NCTQ's request to review this analysis for accuracy.
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.