Gov. Scott Defends Teacher Pay Raise Proposal
FT. MYERS (CBSMiami/NSF) – Sticking by his guns, Governor Rick Scott has once again defended his proposal to give teachers an across-the-board raise.
Critics have said that only the best teachers should get raises. Scott countered that the raise would be essentially a reward for good teaching. He pointed to several rankings which have shown improvement in Florida schools. He said all of Florida's teachers deserve a merit raise.
"This is tied to success," Scott said Monday. "We've made a lot of progress the last two years."
He cited recent rankings show strength in reading among fourth graders and another that showed Florida's teachers "are the most effective teachers in the country." Scott also noted that since tenure has been eliminated, the teachers who weren't performing can now be dismissed.
"So this is tied to success," the governor said.
He also said he continues to support the ongoing merit pay raise system that is in the rulemaking process now. Scott has proposed that lawmakers this year give all teachers a $2,500 pay raise, but it's not clear that the Legislature is going to go along.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report
