Idaho education board endorses tiered teacher pay

The State Board of Education has endorsed legislation that would set Idaho teacher pay based on performance standards and experience.

Board member Richard Westerberg says the state needs higher teacher salaries, and the plan would allow district to reward their best teachers.

Beginning teachers would see salaries increase from about $31,000 a year to about $40,000 a year over the next five years, and top-level teachers would see their base salaries rise from $47,000 to $58,000.

Teachers would get raises only if they meet proficiency standards in teacher evaluations and if a majority of their students meet achievement targets.

Dave Harbison with the Idaho Education Association says the teachers union is still studying the legislation.