Walsh: Union Attack On Denver’s ProComp System Of Bonuses For Working In High-Needs Schools Represents Huge Step Back On Teacher Pay

Walsh: Union Attack on Denver’s ProComp System of Bonuses for Working in High-Needs Schools Represents Huge Step Back on Teacher Pay

Denver’s approach to teacher pay, known as ProComp, has gained recognition for being better than the outdated methods used by most school districts. While not perfect, ProComp has made progress in improving teacher salaries. However, the Denver teachers union wants to disregard these advancements, particularly the higher pay for educators working in challenging schools.

The key point that many districts fail to grasp, but Denver understands, is that compensation is a crucial tool for attracting and retaining skilled teachers. Offering competitive salaries helps employers fill the most demanding positions with the individuals they need.

On the other hand, unions promote compensation as a means of equalizing all teachers, regardless of their effectiveness or willingness to work in challenging environments. This undermines the true differences between teaching in high-poverty schools and more affluent areas, which even the teachers themselves acknowledge.

In the ongoing negotiations, the district proposes a modest $2,500 annual bonus for teachers in high-poverty schools and an additional $2,500 for those in the 30 most challenging schools. While this may seem reasonable, it pales in comparison to the $20,000 bonus offered to top teachers in Washington, D.C. Yet, the Denver union wants to further decrease the bonus to a meager $1,500, reminiscent of the ineffective system that led to ProComp losing its effectiveness.

Two years ago, Denver was recognized as one of the top districts for great teachers and praised for its innovative teacher evaluation system and strategic use of compensation to reward excellence. This recognition was a result of the district’s commitment, along with the teachers union, to ensuring high-quality teachers for all students.

ProComp was made possible by a tax increase approved by Denver voters who believed that teacher compensation should be linked to student success. The union’s push to revert to the old system not only sets the district back but also breaks its promise to the community.

Kate Walsh, the president of the National Council on Teacher Quality, emphasizes the importance of fair and strategic compensation in education.