Iowa is trying--yet again--to implement a performance pay package for teachers. Last week, the state's Teacher Pay-for-Performance Commission convened to develop a performance pay program to be piloted in 10 districts in 2007-8 and another 20 in 2008-09.

In 2001, the Hawkeye State led the charge for performance pay, passing legislation for what should have been the nation's first statewide pay-for-performance program. Events in Florida have shown the difficulties of mandating this kind of innovation from on high. The Iowa route may be better: state funding, but local implementation.