cover image: Engaging Stakeholders in Teacher Pay Reform. Emerging Issues. Report No. 1

Engaging Stakeholders in Teacher Pay Reform. Emerging Issues. Report No. 1

A growing number of states and school districts are experimenting with new approaches to paying teachers. These efforts to reform teacher pay can involve a range of state and local actors, including governors, state education officials, superintendents, local school boards, teacher unions, private foundations, community organizations, and local businesses. The broad spectrum of stakeholders invested in teacher pay issues presents a challenge for designing, implementing, and sustaining compensation reform plans. Each stakeholder represents a different constituency, has a different set of priorities, and holds his or her own beliefs about how teachers should be paid. In addition, teachers--the stakeholders directly affected by compensation reform--often have a strong attachment to the existing salary structure and may be wary of attempts to reform teacher pay. Despite these challenges, one lesson consistently stands out from the recent history of teacher pay reform: Engaging stakeholders in the design and implementation of a compensation plan is critical to its success (Kelley & Odden, 1995; Milanowski, 2003). The development of a compensation reform plan is a collaborative effort that requires the support and contribution of a variety of stakeholders. By excluding stakeholders, proponents of an alternative pay plan generate distrust and misunderstanding about the intent and purpose of their efforts. On the other hand, efforts to engage stakeholders can address their concerns and increase their buy-in. This report explores the issue of stakeholder involvement in compensation reform. It is organized into two sections. The first section explains why it is critical for states and districts to engage stakeholders in the development of a compensation reform plan. The second section describes key aspects of engaging stakeholders, with a focus on how to involve stakeholders in the design process.

Authors

Max, Jeffrey, Koppich, Julia E.

Authorizing Institution
Center for Educator Compensation Reform (CECR)
Education Level
Elementary Secondary Education
Location
['Colorado', 'Florida', 'North Carolina', 'Ohio', 'Tennessee', 'Texas']
Peer Reviewed
F
Publication Type
Reports - Descriptive
Published in
United States of America
Sponsor
Department of Education (ED)

Table of Contents