(Re: April 22 letter, "Teachers need real raise before incentive pay," by Peggy Smith.)

We agree that incentive pay should not be based exclusively on test scores. We should reward effective teachers and pay even more to effective teachers who also take on assignments like mentoring or teaching in hard-to-staff schools.

We also agree we need to drastically improve teacher evaluation methods and enhance professional development opportunities for teachers. We must focus on giving teachers the tools they need to be effective in the classroom.

Incentive pay for teachers is a proven method to attract and keep quality teachers in the classroom. Paying all teachers the same regardless of performance discourages effective teachers from joining or staying in the profession.

The Texas House vote to do away with our teacher incentive pay program, enacted less than one year ago, was indeed an educational leap backward. Thankfully, the Senate undid the House blunder when it opted to maintain funds for this innovative program.

Incentive pay is part of a series of systematic changes that are critically necessary to improve public education in Texas.