Senate approves $5,000 differentiated pay for math and science teachers after debate

The Utah Senate passed S.B.35, establishing a $5,000 annual differentiated pay supplement for highly qualified math and science teachers who hold a major or equivalent coursework in the subject and meet performance standards.

Sponsor Senator Stevenson introduced Amendment 1 (dated 02/04/2008) to specify eligibility and to require a ‘‘good rating’’ so that ineffective teachers with a degree would not qualify. Stevenson said the amendment narrows eligibility to those who ‘‘actually have a major in the area or the equivalent of the coursework’’ and that the change responds to earlier floor questions about qualification criteria. He argued the measure targets critical shortages in math and science and ‘‘will finally ensure that a highly qualified math and science teacher makes $5,000 more’’ than others.

Senator Maine opposed the measure in floor debate, warning it risks ‘‘pitting a teacher against a teacher’’ and could draw master teachers away from lower-grade classrooms, and urged a broader salary approach. Stevenson responded that future measures could address broader pay increases and that the immediate need is to address math and science shortages. After amendment and debate the roll call recorded 19 yea, 7 nay and 3 absent; the bill was passed as amended and forwarded to the House.

Next steps: S.B.35 as amended will be considered by the House. The transcript records the amendment number, the sponsor’s explanation and the roll-call result.