Retaining Effective Teachers Policy
Vermont does not support differential pay in which a teacher can earn additional compensation by teaching certain subjects. The state does, however, support loan forgiveness. Loans may be partially or completely canceled for licensed teachers of mathematics, science or computer science when the subject is deemed to be a critical shortage area.
Vermont does not support differential pay for those teaching in high-needs schools; however, the state has no regulatory language that would directly block districts from providing differential pay.
Teachers who are National Board Certified are eligible to receive a $1,000 annual salary stipend for three years. However, this type of differential pay is not tied to high-needs schools or subject-area shortages.
Expand differential pay initiatives for teachers in subject shortage areas.
Although the state's loan forgiveness program is a desirable recruitment and retention tool for teachers early in their careers, Vermont should expand its program to include those already part of the teaching pool. A salary differential is an attractive incentive for every teacher, not just those with education debt.
Support differential pay for teachers in high-needs schools.
Vermont should consider tying its National Board supplements to teaching in a high-needs school. This differential pay could be an incentive to attract some of the state's most effective teachers to its low-performing schools.
Vermont recognized the factual accuracy of this analysis.