What are they REALLY saying?: Teacher pay.

This week's question for the gubernatorial candidates concern teacher pay -- particularly more for those who teach math and science. Here's what they are REALLY saying -- in their own words:

Democrats:

STEVE HENRY: "When it comes to teacher pay, differentials aren’t the right answer. We should focus instead on raising our broader teacher pay to the national average ...". Steve does NOT support paying "differentials" teacher pay.

OTIS HENSLEY: "We should pay some teachers more to attract needed talent. If we do not pay what other states pay math and science teachers, then we will find ourselves short of qualified, or experienced, math and science teachers. The same applies to English teachers." Otis supports paying some teachers -- like math, science and English teachers -- more.

BRUCE LUNSFORD: "Differential pay is not the answer. We will create incentives for more teachers to teach math and science, such as integrated degree programs and quality professional development." Like Steve, Bruce does NOT believe in paying "differentials" for teachers, but will give them other incentives, like professional development.

JONATHAN MILLER: "We shouldn’t pay teachers of social studies, music or other subjects less than we pay math or science teachers. We should increase pay across the board ... and increase ... funding [for] continuing education for teachers, especially in the areas of math, science and technology ... ." Like Steve and Bruce, Jonathan doesn't want pay "differentials" but wants more continuing education.

JODY RICHARDS: "The real issue is, all teachers in Kentucky are underpaid, and it's unfair to pay one group more than another, simply because of the subject they teach. A better approach is bringing all teacher salaries to the average of the surrounding states [and] focus more on math and science ... the Math and Science Academy. Jody, like Steve, Bruce and Jonathan does not want pay "disparities" but better incentives.

STEVE BESHEAR: "... I believe we need to invest in improving teacher development across-the-board and ... higher pay for all teachers, ... . Steve joins the others in wanting higher pay for all teachers and better incentives, like teacher development.

GATEWOOD GALBRAITH: "... creating a pay disparity among teachers does not address the root problem. Subject matter should be irrelevant. Every teacher's salary needs to be raised, across the board, ... . Gatewood joins the others in wanting more pay for all teachers, but without the better incentives for teacher development.

Republicans:

BILLY HARPER: "As a former member of the Prichard Committee, I agree that teacher pay should be a priority of the next administration. ... [W]e must find incentives to motivate college students to enter these fields upon graduation. We need to evaluate this process annually and solicit input from the education community ... . Billy Harper understands the need for teacher incentives, though he wants to study the issue.

ERNIE FLETCHER: "Our first priority is to give all teachers additional opportunities. I have made it a goal to bring teacher compensation in Kentucky to parity with our surrounding states, ... . I have proposed rewarding teachers for doing additional work to improve student achievement. Ernie wants increased teacher incentives.

ANNE NORTHUP: "We must find a way to attract highly skilled teachers into the classroom, so that we can improve the content of our math and science courses ... . Several different approaches can be taken, and providing increased compensation for math and science teachers is one way ... . Anne supports increased pay for math and science teachers.

That's all folks, the candidates' answers in their own words -- deciphered.