Perry Proposes Cash Incentives to {TX} Schools When Students Pass Tests

Lubbock , TX, Avalanche-Journal ^ | 01-28-03 | AP

[Theodore R.]

Perry proposes cash incentives to schools when students pass tests

AUSTIN (AP) — A proposal by Gov. Rick Perry would give Texas high schools more money when at-risk students pass an algebra test and a standardized state assessment test.

Perry rolled out the plan — the second in a series of three proposals that tie $500 million in state funds to student performance — at the Texas Association of School Administrators annual conference Tuesday.

The proposal calls for schools to receive an extra $100 for each student passing an end-of-course Algebra I exam. At-risk students who pass the exam will earn $200 for the school.

"Algebra is a critical gateway course that a student must master before succeeding in other math courses and in college," Perry said. The exam would be optional.

At-risk students are those whose lifestyles put them at a high risk of dropping out of school — pregnant girls, teenage parents and students who have been held back, for example.

Schools will receive another $100 when students who speak limited English pass the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test; $200 for each student who receives a commended performance on all sections of the TAKS. About 600,000 students in Texas speak English as a second language.

Texas schools get about $10,409 per student in local, state and federal funding, according to the National Education Association.

Perry's third proposal, the Teacher Excellence Incentive, establishes a $200 million fund to reward teachers by providing up to $2,500 in matching funds per teacher in conjunction with a school district-initiated teaching excellence program.

"First, it will reward teachers that achieve excellence in the classroom based on the meeting of specific performance measures as long as local districts match the state's financial commitment," Perry said. The group of several thousand school administrators laughed at the mention of the districts' role in the proposal.

"Our teachers do not need a carrot dangled in front of them in order to do their best," said Brock Gregg, governmental relations director for the Association of Texas Professional Educators. "Texas' dedicated educators did not enter the teaching field to work on commission. These incentive plans have promise, but the priority for our state leaders should be to reinstate the teacher's $1,000 health insurance stipend, raise salaries to above the national average and ensure the security of the Teacher Retirement System."

Earlier in the day, Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn also criticized Perry's results-based initiatives.

"I worked with our then-governor-now-president George W. Bush and I believe he was and is very committed to no child being left behind. I am afraid that this governor's plan leaves too many children and too many teachers behind," Strayhorn said. "I obviously have not met with the governor about his plan but it appears ... that it widens the gap, the equity gap."

Robert Black, a spokesman for the governor's office, said critics need to explain why they don't think some children can compete.

Perry has said he will ask the Legislature to overhaul the state's share-the-wealth system during a special session in April — if legislators can come to an agreed upon alternative before then.

While lawmakers debate school funding alternatives that will ease the ballooning property tax burden on the state's homeowners, Perry has refused to publicly discuss any funding measures for his proposed incentives.

"That's what the Legislature will have to be dealing with," Perry said. "You're talking about the tax side and what we're talking about today is educational excellence and these incentives-based programs. ... I'm not talking about taxes today we're talking about these specific incentives based programs."

Also Tuesday, an influential business group endorsed increasing elementary school classes from 22 students per classroom to 25 students per classroom in kindergarten through fourth grade.

The Texas Association of Business also supports allowing state-taxed video gambling terminals at race tracks to provide money for education. Association President Bill Hammond said the gambling devices should be "first in line for discussion during the special session."

[Theodore R.]

I don't think this plan will work unless such tests are administered unannounced by outside parties. School administrators can have no part in such testing, or there would be financial temptation to tamper with the test results.

[Vernon]

Hey that sounds great...what a wonderful way to encourage discrimination and non-performance.

[FirstPrinciple]

Now, instead of giving students a well-rounded education, schools will be teaching them how to just pass the test. This is what happens when govt controls education.

[Vernon]

I heard on television yesterday that now some 5th graders read on the 1st grade level while others read on the 7th grade level. The goal is to have ALL 5th graders read on the 3rd grade level. Incredible dumbing down in the name of...stupidity. Why should I believe everyone can and will perform on the same level and deny a child the opportunity of reaching their highest potential. What a world.

[NotQuiteCricket]

I believe that the problem is not the teachers. The problem is the non involvement of the parents. Don't scoff when I say - instead of offering a bonus to the teacher, offer the bonus to the parent(s). Maybe bribes to be involved with their children would get there interest, when wanting their child to succeed won't.

[MamaTexan]

The proposal calls for schools to receive an extra $100 for each student passing an end-of-course Algebra I exam. At-risk students who pass the exam will earn $200 for the school.

Here's a thought;

If the teachers can't teach well enough to have 75% of they're class pass a test,

FIRE their butts!

And if a principal can't have 75% of his or her teachers' classes pass the same test,

Fire his or her butt too!

Texas schools get about $10,409 per student in local, state and federal funding

OVER 10 GRAND EACH?

Does he really think a couple of hundred dollars more will make any difference?

(Why do edu-ma-cators and gubermint people try to make this into rocket science, anyway?)

[Doctor Stochastic]

The proposal calls for schools to receive an extra $100 for each student passing an end-of-course Algebra I exam. At-risk students who pass the exam will earn $200 for the school.
....
At-risk students are those whose lifestyles put them at a high risk of dropping out of school — pregnant girls, teenage parents and students who have been held back, for example.

So, a high-school is now has a $100 incentive for a female student who passes the test if her boyfriend gets her pregnant. If the high-school holds back a bunch of people, then there is another $100 incentive per student to hold them pack.