Governor outlines proposals to improve teaching

By Tania deLuzuriaga, Globe Staff

Governor Deval Patrick unveiled a host of initiatives today aimed at improving the quality of teaching in classrooms around the state.

Saying that teachers are the keys to great schools, Patrick announced plans to provide financial rewards to schools that improve academically; institute higher pay for teachers in hard-to-staff schools and disciplines, such as math and science; and simplify the teacher certification process, which has long been criticized for being too complicated.

He also outlined what are likely to be two of the more controversial parts of his sweeping plan: urging some of the state's 391 school districts to consolidate and implementing a statewide teachers' contract.

Though some of the proposals are not in line with long-standing teachers' union positions, Patrick said he doesn't anticipate widespread union opposition.

"They've been at the table," while the proposals were developed, he said.

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