EDMONTON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today released a commissioned poll showing that most Albertans support changing the way that Alberta pays its teachers. Currently, the salary of Alberta teachers is based on seniority, and on whether they possess a master's degree or a bachelor's degree. The poll reveals that most Albertans also want student achievement, parental satisfaction, and the teacher's involvement in extra-curricular activities to be considered as criteria in determining salaries.

Between October 30 and November 9, 2002, JMCK Polling interviewed by phone 1,224 people of voting age from across Alberta. The margin of error for this sample is plus or minus 2.9%, 19 times out of 20. The question put to Albertans was worded as follows:

"Alberta teachers' salaries are based exclusively on a teacher's number of years worked and level of education. Teachers' salaries are not based on time spent in volunteer supervision activities like coaching nor is parental satisfaction or student achievement considered. Please indicate whether you support or oppose each of the following statements:"

"Extra-curricular activities should also be criteria for determining a teacher's salary."
Support 71.2% Oppose 24.3% Don't know 4.5%

"Student achievement should also be a criterion for determining a teacher's salary."
Support 64.5% Oppose 31.4% Don't know 4.2%

"Parental satisfaction should also be a criterion for determining a teacher's salary."
Support 56.1% Oppose 39.3% Don't know 4.7%

"Alberta's current teacher pay grid is manifestly unfair to teachers. A caring, dedicated, hard-working and effective teacher is paid exactly the same as a lazy, unmotivated and incompetent teacher," stated CTF-Alberta director John Carpay.

"Teachers who prepare diligently for every class, and strive to keep themselves up-to-date in their field of knowledge are paid exactly the same as teachers who do not seek to improve their pedagogical skills, and who spend little or no time preparing lessons," continued Carpay.

"The quality of education depends on the effectiveness of teachers. And yet, Alberta's current teacher pay system fails to reward initiative, innovation, dedication, hard work, and excellence in teaching. It protects the worst at the expense of the best," concluded Carpay.