Florida governor proposes changes to teacher bonus program

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to restructure the state’s teacher bonus program, including bigger bonuses in schools with lower income students.

DeSantis made his announcement Thursday at a Vero Beach School, saying he’s proposing $300 million in bonuses for teachers and principals.

The three-tier system would provide the largest bonuses for the state’s best performing schools and lower bonuses for schools that improve their performances based on the state’s A through F grading system.

In each of the tiers, teachers in schools with low-income students would receive bonuses at least twice as high as teachers in other schools. DeSantis said the goal is to retain teachers in schools that need the most help.

The Florida Education Association criticized the bonus plan, saying teachers should instead receive raises that provide a more reliable income.