The South Dakota House of Representatives has agreed with the teacher merit-pay bill that passed the Senate.
That means House Bill 1234, which has been one of the most controversial pieces of legislation this session, is now headed to Governor Dennis Daugaard's desk.
Governor Daugaard laid the framework for this plan during his State of the State Address at the beginning of the legislative session.
The House passed the bill late Wednesday afternoon 36-33.
The plan has gone through many changes since it was originally proposed by the governor but it would still award top teachers in each school district with $5,000 bonuses, give high-achieving math and science teachers a $2,500 bonus every year, and set up a scholarship program for college students who pursue teaching degrees in critically needed subjects.
The bill also phases out tenure by 2016.
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