Teachers currently enrolled in master’s degree programs will no longer have to wonder if they will receive supplemental pay, Gov. Pat McCrory said in a statement last week. 

The state budget bill, which went into effect April 1, was criticized by people throughout North Carolina, according to Michael Maher, assistant dean for professional education and accreditation in the College of Education.

A major reason for this criticism of the budget was a new policy which directed the State Board of Education to no longer give supplemental pay to teachers with master’s or advanced degrees after the 2013-2014 school year. 

“There was tremendous outrage across the state over this, so that if you go and get a master’s degree you don’t get any extra pay,” Maher said. 

McCrory said bad legislation was slipped into the budget bill concerning education policy.

“One part of our culture that did not change was passing some flawed legislation during the last hours of session with little debate, understanding or transparency” McCrory said according to a press release. “Too much education policy was slipped into the budget bill causing serious concerns especially from our teachers and educators.” 

According to the budget, teachers on payroll are not affected because they were hired under the old policy and will continue to see their pay supplements.

The budget bill also says, “no teachers…shall be paid…or receive a salary supplement for academic preparation at the six-year degree level or at the doctoral degree level for the 2014-2015 school year.”

According to The News and Observer, McCrory appealed to the State Board of Education to guarantee pay to teachers who are in an advanced degree program but will not graduate by 2013-2014. Reportedly, the chair of the board denied his request. 

Hours following the meeting, McCrory released the statement saying that he would guarantee supplement. 

“We have found the necessary funds through my budget office to ensure that over 3,000 teachers currently pursuing their master’s degrees will receive a salary increase when they graduate.

McCrory said he is only guaranteeing those teachers currently in master’s degree programs supplemental pay. 

The law still stands that new teachers hired whether they hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree will receive the same pay. 

According to Maher, there is data that shows that teachers with master’s degrees perform better in the class room than those with only a bachelor’s.

“It just seems ridiculous that you won’t be compensated for advance education,” Maher said. “There is some data that a master’s degree matters.”

Maher said data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, which tests students in states across the nation in reading and math and looks at their progress overtime, reports that teachers with master’s degree produce better students.

“What NAEP tests have fund are that teachers with master’s degrees, their students actually performed better,” Maher said. “It’s not only about test scores, if you ask teachers they’ll tell you that their master’s degrees matter.

As a professional in education Maher said he believes it’s important for teachers to go out and get degrees to further themselves and further their education.