The QEO, established by law in 1993, authorizes an annual 2.1 percent salary increase and 1.7 percent fringe-benefit increase, for a total increase of 3.8 percent. The WTA study shows that, statewide, the average increase in teacher salaries was less than the 4.2 percent QEO limit in 33 of the 407 school districts analyzed. Between 1996 and 1998, salaries of full-time teachers rose more than 10 percent in 49 school districts. The state limit, or QEO, refers to the minimum that school districts need to offer teachers to avoid binding contract arbitration where an independent third party settles contract disputes. In general, if a school district offers a package that increases salary and fringe benefits by 3.8 percent annually, its teachers cannot go to arbitration.
State law prohibits teachers from striking.
The WTA said that average teacher experience and level of advanced education largely explain differences in salary increases in recent years. In most instances, the highest paid teachers were also the most experienced and received the smallest percentage pay increases between 1996 and 1998. Teacher salary schedules are structured to effectively grant increases for cost of living, experience and education. While most teachers receive annual pay increases for experience, those who continue their education receive additional increases after earning a certain number of college credits. For example, teachers may receive increases after earning 15 or 30 additional college credits.