The problem with merit pay for teachers and for government workers are the "measures" that are established to measure the worker's performance. In the private sector, in the case of a salesperson, measures can be determined, e.g., how much did that person sell in a quarter? in a year? In some instances the time frame may be too short.
What measure is used for a teacher? I have maintained that teachers should be evaluated by students after they have graduated. All of you can look back, and recall your best teacher and the worst ones. I don't think in most instances it is possible to say an the end of a year. Maybe after 5 years.
Now think for a minute about how one would write performance measures up for a spare tire. In one year, it may have done nothing. However, when the day comes that you need one, you are glad that you have one in your trunk. A spare tire is a good example for positions in the police, fire and other deparcments. IMHO
I am very much in favor of K-12 students evaluating teachers on a teacher report card. I am also in favor of teachers evaluting administrators. I think this kind of feedback would improve a lot of situations immediately. Thanks for your thoughtful post.
I agree, pay should not be based on highest test scores. We would have an even more difficult time than we already do finding good teachers willing to teach the students who need them the most.
I wouldn't mind rewarding teachers for improving their individual performance-perhaps a bonus for the ones who are able to lift test scores by the highest percentage, rather than just flat out highest test scores. That way the teachers in the tough neighborhoods who probably have the most challenging positions will be on a more level playing field with those who have it a bit easier.
Benchmark each class at the first of the year and again at the end of the year on objective tests. Compare the benchmark scores against other teachers in the same district/area, with controls for demography.
The good teachers will be the ones who consistently improve their class of student's achievements the most. After a couple of years, it becomes obvious who is benefiting their students and who is not.