How will the teacher salary money be distributed? Iowa average salary national rankingsThe Legislature appropriated $141.3 million to bring the average Iowa teacher salary from 40th to 25th in the nation by the 2008-09 school year. That translates into a $3,600 increase in 2007-08 (this figure includes $1,800 in teacher compensation money approved by the 2006 Legislature) and another $1,800 in 2008-09.
These figures are, of course, only statewide averages. The amount individual teachers actually receive will vary greatly.
Half of the $141.3 million will be distributed to school districts on a per-pupil basis; the other half will be distributed on a per full-time equivalent teacher basis. AEAs will receive funding on a per-teacher basis that is equivalent to the average per-teacher amount allocated to school districts.
As in the past, the teacher compensation allocation must first be used to fund the career level minimum salaries. But unlike the past, the allocation is significant enough so that all teachers should receive an increase.
