The Legislature's Education Interim Committee on Wednesday endorsed six bills, four of which aim to boost teacher pay.
The other two would help more people to become teachers.
The committee's recommendations came a day after Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. said paying teachers more is a budget priority and after University of Utah professor David Sperry released a report showing Utah schools were short 173 teachers on the first day of school this year.
* A bill that would give highly qualified teachers who fill needed spots in math and science an additional $5,000 a year.
* A bill that would extend the school year for special education teachers and speech-language pathologists by up to 10 days. Working the additional days would be optional, but teachers who work them would earn $200 for each extra day worked. They could use the extra days to work on individualized education plans and issues.
* A bill that would encourage school districts to boost teacher pay by at least 40 percent by adopting year-round schedules. The three school districts (one small, one medium-sized and one large one) with the best proposals of how to do that would get $2 million, $10 million or $20 million depending on size. The idea is teachers would work year-round and students would be staggered throughout the year. That way, said Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, schools wouldn't have to hire as many teachers or build as many new schools. They could put that saved money toward the teacher salaries, he said.
* A bill that would allow teachers who let their licenses lapse return to teaching by paying a relicensure fee and completing a criminal background check provided their previous licenses weren't revoked, suspended or surrendered.
* A bill that would give scholarships to some para-educators so they can get their teaching licenses.
* A bill creating a task force to study performance pay for teachers.
