Teacher Bonuses Get Unions' Blessing

The Washington Post ^ | June 25, 2008 | Nelson Hernandez

[Amelia]

One of the most ambitious pay-for-performance initiatives in Washington area schools is drawing strong teacher interest and local union support even though many national labor leaders have long asserted that it is unfair to link teachers' paychecks directly to their students' test scores....

...The program's criteria exclude some teachers from certain bonus pools. Half of the bonus money is tied to scores on state tests given in third through eighth grades and in high school: Up to $2,500 is won when the school meets test score targets, and up to $2,500 is given for improving a given class's scores. The other half is given for teaching in hard-to-staff subjects ($1,500), doing well on an evaluation of classroom skills (up to $1,500), and engaging in professional development and activities outside the classroom (up to $2,000)....

[Amelia]

Also a discussion of other merit pay programs and proposals across the country.

[Amelia]

Public Education Ping

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[Lurking in Kansas]

Big d'uh.

Of course the local teachers are for it. They'll be coaching for the answers. (IE. just 'teaching' answers to the test questions)

Grade tampering anyone?

[Scarchin]

Interesting.

One reason unions usually hate this kind of thing is that ALL of their members aren’t eligible.

For example - if writing and math scores go up, should gym, art, music, home ec etc. teachers get bonuses?

I say “No.”

[buffyt]

I wonder if all these teachers realize that much of their pension plan is invested in EXXON! And Obama wants to TAKE those profits! 50% of Exxon stock is owned by teacher pension funs. I heard that on Glenn Beck

[Amelia]

50% of Exxon stock is owned by teacher pension funs. I heard that on Glenn Beck

From what state or district? Or are these private funds teachers can invest in?

[Amelia]

One reason unions usually hate this kind of thing is that ALL of their members aren’t eligible. For example - if writing and math scores go up, should gym, art, music, home ec etc. teachers get bonuses? I say “No.”

If students are only tested in reading in 5th and 8th grade, and 8th grade reading scores go up, should the 6th and 7th grade reading teachers get bonuses, or just the 8th grade teachers?

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Maryland “Freak State” PING!

[Silver Persian Mom]

If students are only tested in reading in 5th and 8th grade, and 8th grade reading scores go up, should the 6th and 7th grade reading teachers get bonuses, or just the 8th grade teachers?

Good point. The only way to accurately assess which teachers are really earning the bonus is to compare test scores from year to year of each of the students, summing the cumulative the next gain or loss of all students in one teacher's class. This would actually be a quite simple software program.

But of course, the education PTB really don't want to reward successful teachers - they want the status quo. And I'm guessing that the most successful teachers are NOT those in lock-step with the unions or liberal agenda in the schools. Just the opposite.

[Amelia]

But of course, the education PTB really don't want to reward successful teachers - they want the status quo. And I'm guessing that the most successful teachers are NOT those in lock-step with the unions or liberal agenda in the schools. Just the opposite.

Yes, that's why this is news.