Utah lawmakers revisited the idea of paying teachers based partly on performance.

Two measures -- a performance-pay pilot program and a resolution in support of tying compensation to multiple measures of excellence -- were unanimously endorsed Tuesday by the House Education Committee.

The first bill, HB328, would set aside $300,000 in competitive grants to be awarded to school districts and public charter schools by the State Board of Education.

Districts would come up with their own best ideas for how to measure and compensate teacher performance, but with a few caveats. The money is restricted for use at the elementary school level and would last two years.

The bill stipulates that 40 percent of the performance compensation be awarded based on gains in student learning. Another 40 percent would be based on instructional quality as gauged by classroom observations. The remaining 20 percent would reflect peer, student and parent satisfaction.

Backed by education officials, the bill doesn't dictate precisely how to measure student learning or instructional quality, said state deputy superintendent Larry Shumway. "A top-down imposed system is a recipe for failure."

Sponsoring Rep. Greg Hughes, R-Draper, pitched it as a compromise bill.

"I think everyone wants to see us reward a quality education. We want to see our best teachers, those who go above-and-beyond, compensated," said Hughes, citing a Salt Lake Tribune poll that showed 84 percent of Utahns favor a merit pay system.

One possible hang-up in today's tough budget climate is the bill's $300,000 fiscal note. The bill stipulates that the money would be subject to future budget constraints.

A resolution setting guiding principals on merit pay also won the committee's endorsement. It states that any performance pay plan be adequately and sustainably funded, and that the criteria for doling out money be flexible, objective and responsive to local needs.