Working for Teacher Quality
Teachers’ Salaries
Governor Kaine supports raising Virginia’s teacher salaries to a level competitive with the national average.
- The 2006-08 budget includes record funding for K-12 education, including a 4% FY 2007 pay raise for teachers championed by Governor Kaine.
- In his amendments to the biennial budget for consideration in the 2007 session, Governor Kaine provides funding for an additional 1.5 percent salary increase for all school personnel, above the 1.5 percent currently in the budget for FY 2008.
Teacher Evaluation
The primary purpose of evaluation is to improve instruction and enhance student achievement by providing timely and meaningful feedback and support to the teacher. Evaluation is also a mechanism for professional growth and development. Teacher evaluation should be one part of a larger system that fosters learning communities in schools by creating supportive structures that enhance student achievement, teacher growth and retention. Such structures include a quality induction program with mentoring of new teachers, embedded professional development focused on teacher and school goals, effective and supportive leadership and a collaborative environment that encourages collegiality and teamwork.
Governor Kaine supports providing teachers with regular, meaningful evaluations and continuing professional development.
- In the 2006 legislative session, Governor Kaine successfully supported SB324 requiring evaluation of continuing contract teachers at least once every three years. (Annual evaluation of probationary teachers was already required.)
- SB 324 also requires each local superintendent to certify compliance on teacher evaluation annually to the Virginia Department of Education.
All 132 school divisions in the Commonwealth have established policies and practices for teacher evaluation.
Teacher Recruitment and Retention
The Committee to Enhance the K-12 Teaching Profession in Virginia has released a report on effective teacher recruitment and retention:
Stepping Up to the Plate: Virginia's Commitment to a Highly-Qualified Teacher in Every Classroom (pdf, 110 k)