Florida Legislature repeals STAR program

STAR’s demise leads to yet another Performance Pay Plan Meet the Merit Award Program or MAP

      If you add enough pressure to a stick, it will snap.  That’s exactly what happened to our State legislators.  Giving in to mounting pressure from school districts, local unions, and teachers across the entire State of Florida, both the Florida House and Senate struck down the ill-fated Special Teachers Are Rewarded (STAR) pay scheme:  110-4 in the House; 39-0 in the Senate. 

     The passage of SB 1226 and HB 7021 during the 2007 Legislative Session wipes out the STAR proviso, removes layers of bureaucracy from the Department of Education and provides school districts and teachers with options for the 2006-07 school year and beyond. 

     Although the new plan is not perfect, many say it is an improvement to the STAR program. 

Some of the highlights of the Merit Award Program, or MAP:

• District participation in Performance Pay is voluntary.
• At least 60% of the performance evaluation must relate to student performance.
• Up to 40% must relate to professional practices (No veto by Principal).
• Student Performance must be measured by FCAT in FCAT subjects.
• Other areas may be measured by any other locally determined assessment.
• Student performance may be based on gains and/or proficiency as determined locally.
• Must negotiate a MAP plan.
• Revisit MAP during the Legislative Session to make additional improvements to statutory performance pay.

“Some legislators awoke to the punitive nature of STAR and were smart enough to stop it in its track.  Now MAP is taking its place.  The real discussion must still be the salaries offered in this state to teachers and ESPs.  Nothing replaces adequacy of salaries in recruiting and retaining educators - not E-COMP, not STAR, not MAP,” said UTD President Karen Aronowitz.