BATON ROUGE (AP) — The state Department of Education says officials in 63 of Louisiana’s 70 school districts have submitted new salary schedules that will reward teachers for effectiveness and other areas.

The Advocate reported the new pay plans stem from a 2012 state law aimed in part at giving local school officials more flexibility in how educators are paid.

The law has been declared unconstitutional by a 19th Judicial District Court, in Baton Rouge, but remains in effect while attorneys for the state appeal.

Among the changes is a new rule in Calcasieu Parish, which includes Lake Charles, to pay teachers $1,500 stipends if they are rated as “highly effective” in consecutive years under the state’s new review system.