Retaining Effective Teachers Policy
Oregon supports incentives that can be earned by teaching certain subjects. Teachers in the fields of "mathematics, science, foreign languages or bilingual education, or in any other field of expertise determined by a state education agency to have a shortage of qualified teachers" are eligible to participate in federal loan forgiveness programs.
Oregon also supports differential pay for those teaching in high-needs schools. Eligible teachers at designated low-income schools may receive up to $5,000 for certain loans.
Expand differential pay initiatives for teachers in subject shortage areas and high-needs schools.
Although the state's program is a desirable recruitment and retention tool for teachers early in the career, Oregon should expand its program to include those already part of the teaching pool. A salary differential is an attractive incentive for every teacher.
Oregon was helpful in providing NCTQ with the facts necessary for this analysis.