According to Gov. Kay Ivey, another teacher pay raise is under consideration for the 2023 legislative session.
However, as things stand right now, teacher compensation is in a good place, according to State Rep. Terri Collins (R-Decatur), the chairwoman of the House Education Policy Committee.
During an interview with Mobile radio FM Talk 106.5's "The Jeff Poor Show," Collins said Alabama had pulled ahead of other southern states in compensation, and the state no longer lags.
"That's not the case at all," she replied. "I'll even say — I've been a part of the Governor appointing me to the SREB, Southern Regional Educational Regional Board. So all of our southern states attend those meetings. We learn from each other. They're very beneficial, and they do good research for us, as well. But when we're talking about giving raises and doing different things — you'll even hear our board members say, 'Oh no, don't do any more' because we have pulled ahead."
The Morgan County lawmaker said part of the state's compensation package allows for bonuses for specific teacher certifications, which she said improves the teaching process in the classroom.
"I think we have moved our compensation for educators in a great direction," Collins added. "I think we're bonusing and incentivizing the things that we know we need and that we want to make a difference for our students. So, I'm pleased with the direction that we're going with our teachers. I would hope that they certainly feel like they are treated more as professionals now, and that sometimes comes with higher professional development requirements and things like that. But that then makes them better teachers in the classroom. I think we're moving in the right direction with that is a good thing."
Jeff Poor is the executive editor of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email jeff.poor@1819News.com or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
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