Teachers Approve New Contract Wednesday

History has been made in Baltimore City.  Wednesday, city teachers passed a landmark contract tying their salary to the success of the students.  Denise Koch reports this puts Baltimore at the head of a national movement that could change the face of education.

Just weeks after striking it down, city school teachers now voted Wednesday in favor of a new contract that brings big changes to the way teachers are paid.

Seniority and graduate degrees will no longer be rewarded with higher pay.  Instead, teacher salaries will be based on student performance and training  outside of the classroom or professional development.  The four-tier career ladder allows teachers to advance quicker.

"Whatever you are doing after school that teachers normally do and don't get paid for, now you can get achievement units and you move intervals so you can move two steps within one year instead of waiting a year, two, three to move, so that's what's exciting," said Patricia Cook-Ferguson.

The contract should also benefit students.  School leaders say with better pay, schools can attract and keep highly-qualified teachers, which they hope will boost test scores city-wide.

Still, some teachers do not think this will work.

"I've never met people who don't want to do their job well.  I've met people who don't do their jobs well.  They're trying their best and paying them more is not going to make them do better," said teacher Iris Karsh.

The contract passed by 857 votes.  It makes city teachers the highest paid in the state.