JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
With a strained budget and dwindling test scores, state leaders are looking for a way to boost performance of both teachers and their students.
Merit based pay is one option being considered.
State leaders are learning how other states implemented their merit pay plans.
Tuesday, Andy Baxter of the Southern Regional Education Board, briefed House education and appropriation members with a power point.
Baxter says the first step is creating a observation system, to watch teacher performance.
Baxter says, "You need to provide teachers feedback on their performance, from multiple sources so other teachers or principals or students in multiple kinds of ways."
Baxter says having outside sources conduct the evaluation can help cut down on favoritism within school districts.
State Representative Rita Martinson says, "They mentioned self evaluation. I think it's something we need to do and I also think it's important to follow up and help them to learn to be better teachers."
Martinson says it's been her mission to raise reading levels for elementary school students.
She says currently over 40 percent aren't reading at their grade level.
Some lawmakers believe more motivation to improve, needs to also come from home.
"When they step on campus they're there to be educated, and if you can drill that in them and make them understand that then the teacher has a better product to mold," says Representative Rufus Straughter.
Most states with merit pay programs also have enhanced professional development for teachers, educating the educators, paid for how well they shape the lives of our future.
Teachers in Mississippi will likely be asked to help create the merit pay system they will work under.
Currently their raises are based mostly on the length of their teaching careers, and education.
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