Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that gives salary bonuses to math, physics, and chemistry teachers.

Highlights:

- Requires the local school board to provide salary supplements to certified teachers [sec. 2 (1)]. - Provides salary supplements of $6,000 for high school teachers who possess a major in chemistry or chemistry education, teaches chemistry, and have earned a score of 153 or higher on the PRAXIS Chemistry test [sec. 2 (1)(a)]. - Provides salary supplements of $6,000 for high school teachers who possess a major in physics or physics education, teach physics, and have earned a score of 147 on the PRAXIS physics test [sec. 2 (1)(b)]. - Provides salary supplements of $3,000 for high school teachers who possess a major in mathematics or mathematics education, teach mathematics in a majority of their classes, have earned 147 on the PRAXIS mathematics test, and administer a state math test at the end of the year [sec. 2 (1)(c)]. - Allocates salary supplements of $3,000 for middle school teachers who possess a major in mathematics, mathematics education, or middle school mathematics, achieved a score of at least 163 on the PRAXIS middle school mathematics test or a score of at least 147 on the PRAXIS content knowledge test, have a teaching schedule consisting of a majority of mathematics classes, and administer a state math test at the end of the year [sec. 2 (1)(d)]. - Provides salary supplements to teachers with majors in chemistry, physics, or mathematics and who are employed in schools with high numbers of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, with the supplement amount given being contingent upon the rate of students eligible [sec. 2 (3)]. - Adds supplements to the base salaries and contributes to the retirement system [sec. 2 (5)]. - Requires school boards to request reimbursements for salary supplements from the fund to support education excellence [sec. 2 (6)]. - States that a teacher that does not work full time who qualifies for the supplement will have it pro-rated [sec. 1 (6)]. - Provides loan forgiveness for certain teachers enrolled in accelerated certification programs if they are attending a post-secondary school and are enrolled for six to nine credit hours, and other requirements [sec. 7 (4)]

Full Bill Text