There's no shortage of ideas on teacher pay in Texas. Earlier this month, House leaders in Austin laid out a school reform plan that would include 'one of the largest merit pay plans in the nation,' according to a report from the Dallas Morning News.

The 'Roadmap to Results' legislation would increase funding in Texas for education by $1.5 billion per year and would be literally fueled by savings on utilities. The plan is premised on a $85 million savings in air conditioning bills by prohibiting schools from starting before Labor Day.

If passed, the plan would earmark about one percent of state and local funds, mostly to reward teachers for gains in student achievement on the state's test, but also for serving as mentors.

Meanwhile, teacher organizations in this right-to-work state are calling for a uniform and hefty salary hike for all teachers across the board. But the editorial board at the American-Statesman is suggesting a two-tiered pay system that would give all teachers a modest increase, but would provide additional financial incentives to science, math and bilingual teachers working in the urban and rural communities that face the greatest challenges.

Elsewhere. Pay plans seem to be moving 'beyond rhetoric,' nationwide, even if all are not well-implemented or welcomed. The Boston Globe ran an AP story last week about the merit pay plan in La Crescent, Minnesota ("Merit Pay Plans Abound", TQB February 4th, 2005), which received a warmer reception than originally anticipated.