Teachers reassured about state bonuses

Associated Press
Published January 11, 2008

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TALLAHASSEE - A program that pays teachers bonuses for obtaining national board certification is safe from the budget ax even though the state is facing a tight fiscal year, the chairman of a Senate appropriations committee said Thursday.

Questions had been raised about the program's value after a Florida State University study found no correlation between board certification and student achievement.

Senate Prekindergarten-12th Grade Education Appropriations Committee Chairman Stephen Wise, R-Jacksonville, said there are no plans to cut the program after the panel heard a presentation. Wise said he put the issue on the agenda simply to provide committee members with information.

Board-certified teachers receive a bonus of 10 percent of average statewide teacher pay and can earn another 10 percent by mentoring other teachers.