Posted on 03/11/2009 5:15:13 AM PDT by Born Conservative
In spelling out a vision for education reform in America, President Obama announced on Tuesday that he embraces merit pay for teachers (see related story).
The head of Philadelphia's teachers' union says he backs Obama's proposal but wonders what the effects will be once the plan is fleshed out.
Philadelphia Federation of Teachers president Jerry Jordan (right) says Obama's endorsement of merit pay for improved student perfomance doesn't go against what his union has been fighting for:
"He talked about competitive salaries for teachers with innovative ways to reward teachers and experiences. We have been advocating those things at the PFT for a number of years."
Jordan points out that a small percentage of city teachers already earn bonuses of $3,500 each by becoming National Board certified:
"Rewarding teachers for extra skills that they bring to the job, we've been very supportive of it."
(Excerpt) Read more at kyw1060.com ...
I guess my statement was pretty vague...I don't believe many are worth minimum wage, based on performance. In such cases; they certainly aren't worthy of the benefits you cite in your post. We didn't seem to have a problem with socialism in this country until public education came along.
Yep! Thanks for pointing that out! I have quite a few friends who are teachers in PA. One teaches an AP science class, and because she took an algebra course at a local college, got a pay raise. Which is ridiculous because you need to know at least pre-calculus to teach the course in the first place.
Other teachers who have long retired at 6-figure salaries are now collecting their lifetime pensions.
My husband read somewhere that govt employees make 44 cents on the dollar more than the private sector.
I should quit my job and become a PA teacher. That 6 figure income for working 9 months of the year and lifetime benefits sure sounds nice. On the other hand I’ve also heard dreadful stories about how the unions and administration treat the people (both students and teachers) in the schools, so maybe it is not worth it.
“It’s very fishy that both Obama AND the head of the Philly teacher’s union are supporting this....”
Yup, in practice, merit pay for teachers means that the district has to prove that the teacher doesn’t deserve the merit pay, so all but those in danger of being fired get a pay raise.
http://michellemalkin.com/2009/03/11/terrific-tax-subsidized-acorn-mob-teams-up-with-la-teachers/
They aren’t going to take this lying down...
Of course the Union guy is receptive...the rhetoric of BHO will not match his actions.
No doubt the unions will get to be one of the “deciders” on whether teachers “merit” a pay increase.
Lies from Obama are like the sun coming up in the east: you can count on it.
Any time the teachers union deems that a teacher(s) ( likely to be unions stewards etc) has done something they approve of, they shall automatically get a huge bonus.
The local taxpayers shall be taxed extra to pay for it regardless of budget overruns.
Voters shall have no say in the matter or any seat on the governing board.
Merit pay = democrats who vote right
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