Teacher Performance Pay

How is the performance pay plan funded?

Performance Pay is funded through the Prop 301 initiative. Prop 301 is a voter-approved initiative that was originally passed in 2000 and has been extended through June 30, 2041. It increased the state sales tax by 0.6% with the additional revenue supporting public education funding. The money from this sales tax revenue is allocated annually based on a per-pupil basis and distributed to school districts via the Classroom Site Fund. 

How is the performance pay plan developed?

A teacher planning team approves plan measures and compensation allocations. Teachers on this team represent the teaching population (i.e. regions, assignments, etc.). The Teacher Ombudsman, executive administrators, department leaders and department personnel offer support to verify operational components. Teachers are the only voting members of the team who then make recommendations to the greater teacher community.

How is the plan approved?

Eligible teachers vote on the plan. With a minimum 70% approval rating by eligible teachers, the plan is submitted to the Governing Board for action. If the plan is not approved by at least 70% of the eligible teachers, the team will recommend changes to the plan and issue the revised plan to the eligible teachers for a vote. A recommendation will not be forwarded for action by the Governing Board until it has achieved 70% approval by the eligible teachers. Teachers will not receive performance pay without an approved plan.

How are measures identified each year?

Each year the planning team reviews the possible measures outlined in the Arizona Revised Statute (A.R.S.) § 15-977 and makes recommendations for the current year. Examples of measures not included in this year’s plan are student attendance, other achievement data (i.e. district-level assessments), and school quality (parent & student surveys). Factors such as reliable and valid data, the degree of influence, and the meaningfulness of a measure are considered when identifying measures for the current year.

What measures are included in this year’s plan?

This year’s plan includes measures related to a teacher’s Final Performance Classification and Professional Development. 

• A teacher’s Final Performance Classification is based on individual performance and, if available, an academic progress score as defined by teacher evaluation. (Note: Academic progress will not be included if statewide assessments are not available.) 
• The Professional Development component encompasses required courses based on teaching assignments.

What qualifies for professional development (PD)?

The measure included in this year’s plan compensates teachers who participate in required coursework defined by the district. Participation in courses may occur on or off contract time. 

What is the All Teacher PD? Individual PD?

• The All Teacher PD refers to professional development in which all Kyrene teachers are required to participate. It includes mandated district-wide professional development that focuses on district policy and content. 

• The Individual PD refers to professional development that is required; however, it is differentiated by subject area assignments. Specific information related to which courses are identified for this measure is shared through school and department communications. For compensation, teachers must participate in the All Teacher PD before being eligible for compensation in the Individual PD. 

How do teachers make up coursework that they miss due to absences?

• District courses will have asynchronous make-up options available to earn credit for those who are absent on the day of the professional development activity.
• Teachers who are absent from site-based activities are required to complete another course from the menu of options for the equivalent number of hours, and follow up with supervisors on the best way to make up any missed content.

What are the dates for which professional development (PD) hours are eligible?

All hours from June 1, 2023, through May 31, 2024, are eligible for this year’s plan. Course completion must occur by May 31, 2024. Participation in courses/hours beginning after May 31 are not guaranteed for next year’s plan, as the plan must be approved annually. Additionally, teachers may not roll over PD hours from previous years and expect payment based on those hours in a different fiscal year. School districts have specific periods that they are required to complete any and all pay for work completed in that year to close out a fiscal year.

If a teacher is hired after the date in which PD has occurred, is the teacher still required to participate in these hours?

Teachers hired after the year has started should work with their New Teacher Ambassador (NTA) to learn about the make-up options for required professional development. Either the activity itself will be replicated or an alternate activity will be designed for teacher participation.The plan requires that teachers participate in the prescribed activities to receive full compensation. Questions can be directed to 301@kyrene.org.

Can teachers submit external hours/credit for consideration to qualify for professional development? 

No, the courses that are eligible for these measures are prescribed and available for review through school and department communications. Teachers should not need to seek out other options for PD. Teachers may contact the Director of the Professional Growth and Development (PGD) to request a substitution if it is believed that an exceptional case can be made for why a teacher cannot participate in the prescribed courses. This request must be pre-approved prior to being eligible for credit. If approved, log in to Performance Matters, select the External Credit Request tab and complete the steps for submission. The PGD department staff will research the awarding website/organization to verify the course requirements to earn the certificate. If a certificate can be generated without participating in an online learning, credit will not be awarded. The PGD department staff may ask for further verification. Teachers can review the status of submissions under External Credit Request.

Can teachers submit mentoring hours for student teachers/interns?

No, the courses that are eligible for these measures are prescribed and available for review through school and department communications. Teachers should not need to seek out other options for PD. (Certificates for these activities are eligible for recertification requirements for the state, but are not eligible for performance pay.)

Can teachers participate in Professional Contribution hours rather than the prescribed courses?

No, the courses that are eligible for performance pay are prescribed and available for review through school and department communications. Teachers should not need to seek out other options for activity hours.

How do teachers monitor/verify their hours of professional development throughout the year? 

Teachers are encouraged to log into Performance Matters and review  their transcript of course hours from the start and end dates of this year’s plan and compare it to the required coursework (listed on the website).

How is the amount of compensation determined each year?

The Chief Financial Officer reviews funding with the teacher planning team who then defines the compensation allocation. The team analyzes the fund’s balance, expected revenue, and the projected cost to pay eligible teachers when considering the final recommendation.

What happens to these funds if there is additional money leftover at the end of the year?

When/if money remains in the account after payout, it remains in the classroom site fund. As a reminder, recommendations are based on estimates of revenue, the full-time equivalency count of eligible teachers, and the expected payout. 

When do teachers receive payout?

Payout is scheduled for June 25, 2024. Compensation is issued in a separate check from the regular payroll. Teachers are requested to log into the employee portal after the pay dates to verify payment. Please know that as with any compensation, mandatory deductions will apply to this check.

Will the payout be prorated?

The Final Performance Classification compensation is prorated for teachers who work less than a 1.0 FTE assignment and/or who do not work the entire contract calendar (i.e. hire date/unpaid leave). The Professional Development compensation will not be prorated. Teachers will be compensated for levels of attainment defined in each measure.

Dispute/Appeals Process

Teachers who disagree with their payout for the identified measure(s) may submit a request for review to dispute eligibility for award to 301@kyrene.org. Individuals are required to submit their request for review in writing, stating the nature of the concern and including supporting documentation no later than June 30, 2024. The steering committee will meet to review the dispute and determine final eligibility. Individuals will be notified within 10 work days of the committee’s final determination of eligibility.