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Superintendent: state reviewers want teacher bonuses tied to subject‑specific measures, not a districtwide literacy pool
Summary
Superintendent Wendy Dow told the board the state review of the proposed merit‑pay plan returned concerns: proficiency or bonus calculations must be tied to the subject a teacher instructs, not a districtwide literacy target, and the review team is still working on guidance ahead of the April 1 plan deadline.
Provo School District Superintendent Wendy Dow updated the board Jan. 28 on state review of a proposed merit‑pay plan that would offer bonuses tied to student assessment results.
Dow said the district had proposed using NWEA and a districtwide literacy goal to calculate bonuses. State reviewers at the Center for the Schools of the Future returned the plan for further work, saying proficiency used to determine bonuses must be tied to the specific subject a teacher teaches. Reviewers noted it would be inappropriate to give credit, for example, to a science teacher based on a districtwide literacy goal unless the calculation accounted for the fraction of class time devoted to literacy instruction.
“They came back and said we need to look at that further,” Dow said, adding that several superintendents have suggested alternate indicators and that the state is continuing to refine guidance. Dow told the board the district does not have to finalize a plan until April 1.
Board members and staff discussed alternatives, including whether ACT scores or other measures might be appropriate for certain grade levels. Dow said the district has a fallback plan and will continue to consult with the business administrator and state reviewers before the deadline.
No formal board action was taken during the study session; the update was informational.
