Baltimore Teacher Union Signs Performance-Pay Pact

BALTIMORE (AP) -- The Baltimore Teachers Union and school system leaders have signed the new teachers contract that links pay increases to student performance. 

The school board voted unanimously Wednesday night to approve the contract. Now, planning and implementation of the new agreement kicks into high gear. 

Under the pact, teachers will no longer receive automatic raises based on tenure and degrees. Instead, they will climb a career ladder based on their performance in the classroom. 

The contract also gives teachers a 2 percent raise and a $1,500 bonus to be paid this month. 

Baltimore teachers voted in November to approve the contract after it had fallen short of a majority in October.