Pastorek: Stipend cuts OK

Posted: Feb 24, 2010 7:06 AM by APNewsNow

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - State Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek has reversed course on the merits of a national certification program that adds at least $5,000 a year to teachers' paychecks.
Pastorek touted the achievement last year as vital to creating a world-class education system.
He said Tuesday that national certification does not mean teachers are getting the job done.
Pastorek's new stance backs a proposal by the Jindal administration to get rid of monetary awards.
The governor's $24.2 billion proposed state operating budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1 would eliminate $5,000-per-year stipends for public schoolteachers who have earned national certification.
Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Steve Monaghan said he is incredulous that Pastorek would question the importance of national certification.
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Information from: The Advocate, http://www.2theadvocate.com

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Topics: superintendent, education, school, teacher, pay, check, money, paul, pastorek, government, louisiana, state