Pay for Performance in D.C. Schools

The Washington DC's teacher union ratified a contract that bases pay on performance not seniority yesterday. As reported in the Washington Post article "D.C. teachers' union ratifies contract, basing pay on results, not seniority," a voluntary performance pay program which will be based on improvements in student test scores and other criteria begins this fall could add between $20,000 to $30,000 to D.C. teachers' salaries. The contract also allows principals to use job performance, instead of seniority, as the main determinant when reducing staff because of declining enrollment or program changes.