When the economy weakens, heightened consideration is given to ways in which schools can more efficiently use financial resources. Discussions about implementing four-day school weeks--with students attending school more hours each day--are surfacing again in some states. While the need to balance the budget is real, the current emphasis on…

The Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) follows education budgets and legislation during regular and special legislative sessions. The Legislative Reports follow education and budget issues from governors' proposals through final legislative actions in each of the 16 SREB states. The reports include bill numbers and legislative Web site…

This report highlights how key parts of the teacher work force "system" should work together and helps you ask--and answer--questions about emerging solutions that offer promise. Policy-makers in SREB states should focus on five policy areas in which there is now considerable data, plus three emerging policy areas that are growing in importance.…

Is your state making progress toward having a high-quality teacher in every classroom? How will you know? One indicator of progress in the Challenge to Lead goals refers to teacher compensation: "Salaries, benefits and incentives are competitive in the marketplace. They are aimed at recognized expertise, student performance, state needs and taking…

This document presents a summary of final legislative actions in the 16 Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) states based on the 2004 SREB "Legislative Reports". The states include: Alabama; Arkansas; Delaware; Florida; Georgia; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maryland; Mississippi; North Carolina; Oklahoma; South Carolina; Tennessee; Texas; Virginia;…

One indicator of progress in the Challenge to Lead goals refers to teacher compensation: Salaries, benefits and incentives are competitive in the marketplace. They are aimed at recognized expertise, student performance, state needs and taking on additional or different roles to improve curriculum and instruction." Most Southern Regional Education…

As the largest part of K-12 spending, teacher pay is often the focus of deliberations during legislative sessions. Compensation is an important part of attracting and retaining high-quality teachers. Most teachers continue to be paid based primarily on years of experience and degree level, although some states tie a small portion of compensation…