FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
JIM HORNE
F. PHILIP HANDY,
Chairman
Commissioner of Education
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Vice Chairman
Members
SALLY BRADSHAW
LINDA J. EADS, ED.D.
CHARLES PATRICK GARCÍA
JULIA L. JOHNSON
WILLIAM L. PROCTOR, PH.D.
January 8, 2004
CONTACT:
Name:
Betty
Coxe
Email:
Betty.Coxe@fldoe.org
Phone:
(850) 245-0857
MEMORANDUM
DPS: 04-069
TO:
School District Superintendents
FROM:
Jim Warford
SUBJECT: BEST Florida Teaching Salary Career Ladder Program
As you are aware, the 2003 Florida Legislature created the Better Educated Students and
Teachers (BEST) Act, which requires all school districts to implement a salary career ladder for
classroom teachers beginning with the 2004-2005 school year. The career ladder must have four
levels: 1) Associate Teacher – classroom teachers not professionally certified or low performing
teachers; 2) Professional Teacher – classroom teachers who are professionally certified; 3) Lead
Teacher – classroom teachers who are responsible for leading other teachers; and 4) Mentor
Teacher – classroom teachers who serve as regular mentors to teachers, serve as faculty-based
professional development coordinators and provide
The recommended salary schedule for teachers for 2004-2005 must be consistent with the
district’s career ladder and the district’s five percent performance pay policy must provide for the
evaluation of classroom teachers within each level of the salary career ladder provided in Section
1012.231, Florida Statutes.
Each district school board must develop a plan to implement the salary career ladder as
prescribed above and submit the plan to the Department of Education by March 1, 2004.
JIM WARFORD
K – 12 Chacellor
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0509 • www.fldoe.org
January 6, 2004
MEMORANDUM
Page 2
Attached you will find the following documents which will assist you in preparing your district
plans for submission to the Department:
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BEST Florida Salary Career Ladder Program Plan For Implementation Beginning 2004-2005
(This document provides the format to be used by the district in submitting the district plan to
the Department of Education)
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BEST Florida Teaching Salary Career Ladder Program Statutory Authority
These materials provide detailed information regarding the requirements for submitting your
district plan. The district plan is due to the Department by March 1, 2004. The completed plan
should be submitted with the required signature to Betty Coxe, K-12 Deputy Chancellor for
Educator Quality, Florida Department of Education, 325 West Street, Suite 514, Tallahassee,
Florida 32399-0400.
We look forward to the successful implementation of this very important initiative to enhance the
teaching profession while focusing on our most important goal—increasing student achievement
throughout Florida. If you have questions or need additional information, you may reach the
contact person via email or telephone as indicated on this memorandum.
