From higher salaries to signing bonuses, teachers are expected to be a focus of discussions about education at the next Kentucky General Assembly.

        However, don't expect big changes yet.

        The 2001 session, which begins in January, is expected to be a lot of talk with the action coming in 2002.

        Most education initiatives have hefty price tags, but the state's budget is locked in place right now.

        Big money items will have to wait until 2002 because the General Assembly approved its two-year budget tearlier this year. If legisla tors want to pass any new bills that require money, they'll have to amend the current budget.

        “There may be room for an initiative, but most initiatives involve money,” said Rep. Frank Rasche, D-Paducah, chairman of the House Education Committee. “The inclination is to try to stay away from money issues.”

        As legislators prepare for the first odd-year session after voters decided in November to hold annual meetings, many say they're expecting a lackluster agenda in most areas.

        “The first odd-year session will be learning what will be possible in that time frame,” said Mr. Rasche. “Without an interim period, it's very difficult to know how well some things we have done are working. Before we dart off in another direction, we need to really have a feel for what we've done.”

        The General Assembly needs to start talking about salaries and incentives now to gear up for 2002, said Harry Moberly Jr., D-Richmond, a member of the House Education Committee.

        A year after Kentucky passed a controversial initiative to improve teacher quality, some legislators want to stir discussion about teacher pay, incentives and other ways to recruit and retain teachers.

        Many criticized the final version of the 2000 bill as not having enough teeth, so some want to revisit issues that were left out.

        Among those: raising teachers' base pay; offering stipends for teachers who mentor younger teachers; and allowing signing bonuses for teachers in shortage areas, such as special education, and teachers who transfer to low-performing districts.

        Merit pay, such as Cincinnati's new performance-based salary sys tem, has also been tossed around as legislators and state educators examine teacher compensation.

        “We need a comprehensive plan tying those things together,” Mr. Moberly said.

        “We shouldn't try to do it piecemeal. ... We need to do quite a bit of work on issues for 2002 during this session.”

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