Introduction to the New Pay Model
Houston ISD has introduced a "pay-for-performance" model, which will be used to determine teachers’ salaries starting in the 2026-27 school year. This model, combined with a new evaluation system, will rank teachers into seven categories based on their annual evaluation scores. The categories will determine the teachers’ base salaries, ranging from $64,000 to $92,000 per year.
How the Pay Model Works
The Teacher Excellence System, approved by the state-appointed board of managers, will evaluate teachers based on their performance. Most teachers will fall into the two middle tiers, Proficient I and Proficient II, and will be paid between $74,000 and $80,000 per year. Teachers who score high on the evaluation will be considered "Exemplary" and will have a base salary of $92,000, while those who score low will be considered "Unsatisfactory" and will have a base salary of $64,000.
Additional Pay for Certain Teachers
Teachers who work at schools that are part of Superintendent Mike Miles’ New Education System (NES) will earn several thousand dollars more than comparable educators at other schools. NES teachers who do not teach core subjects will make $3,000 more, while NES teachers of core subjects will make $9,000 more than comparable teachers at non-NES schools.
Reactions to the New Pay Model
Superintendent Mike Miles believes that the pay-for-performance model is designed to tie "compensation to effectiveness." He says that the model will help the district "value effectiveness" and maximize its effectiveness. However, critics argue that the system could drive experienced teachers away and discourage teachers from supporting one another.
Concerns About the Pay Model
Houston Education Association President Michelle Williams warns that the system could discourage experienced and knowledgeable teachers from working in HISD, creating a toxic culture where teachers compete instead of collaborate. Teacher retention is already an issue for HISD, with around 1,400 teachers leaving the district between August 2023 and August 2024. Jackie Anderson, president of the Houston Federation of Teachers, echoes a similar sentiment, stating that "teaching is not an assembly line type of work" and that pay-for-performance does not increase student outcomes.
Different Opinions on the Pay Model
Elected HISD trustee Savant Moore believes that teachers’ pay should continue to be based on experience, as it is what they deserve for consistently producing results. On the other hand, former HISD board president Judith Cruz says that the new pay-for-performance model will help HISD attract and place top talent in schools and classrooms where they are needed most.
Conclusion
The new pay-for-performance model in Houston ISD has sparked a debate about its potential impact on teacher retention and student outcomes. While some believe that the model will help the district attract top talent, others argue that it will create a toxic culture and drive experienced teachers away. As the district moves forward with the new pay model, it will be important to monitor its effects and make adjustments as needed to ensure that it is fair and effective for all teachers and students.
