Merit Pay for Teachers

Published on December 8, 2005 By stevendedalus In Politics

On the surface merit pay for teachers appears as a no brainer; still, how would it be determined?

It is known that school administrators have favorite staff members because they don’t present burden the office with discipline problems, which does not automatically make them good facilitators of learning.

Based on the number of ‘A’s in the class, but how does one determine “easy” ‘A’s as opposed to “hard” ‘A’s?

Frequent classroom observations unduly absorbs time for other administrative tasks.

Preference to teachers from prestigious universities in contrast to state teachers college.

Parent and student input into assessment of a teacher.

Unions partake the merit process.

Measuring reward from year to year — what if a “superior” teacher happens to be assigned a “great” class one year and poor one the next resulting in frustrated teaching? Should the teacher lose his/her status?

Comments (Page 1)

Dr Guy

on Dec 08, 2005

What if a Boss assigns an impossible project to one employee and an easy one to another? The issue is not new, except in education. Every day, the other 85% of the work force is forced to undergo subjective evaluations by subjective people (15% Union). We live with it. If we feel slighted, or neglected, we get another job!

In 30 years of evaluations, where I have done many, and had many more done, I dont think I have had one that I totally disagree with. And some were much better than I expected. Maybe I am lucky? I have had some great bosses, but if you have read my articles, you know that my current one is not one of them!

Still, if I get a real bad one, and there is no documentation for it (as in write ups and such), you want to know who gets into hot water? not me.

stevendedalus

on Dec 08, 2005

We live with it. If we feel slighted, or neglected, we get another job!

Touché, the great Lama speaks.

Jamie Burnside

on Dec 09, 2005

This stuff also punishes teachers for having students with disabilities, non-English proficient kids, kids with issues at home, as well as others. Things might turn out where these kids may turn into "hot potatoes" when class rosters are being compiled.

Dr Guy

on Dec 09, 2005

This stuff also punishes

What stuff?

bakerstreet

on Dec 09, 2005

I don't buy into merit pay, either. I've had too many bosses that wanted rid of me and tasked me with the crap jobs. Education in small town America is crippled by politics most times. You put the wrong local candidate's election sign in your yard and suddenly your work environment gets icy. "Merit pay" just gives the ability for them to start cutting into your pay as you find yourself with a class full of the worst kids in school.

That said, I do think schools as a whole should have accountability. Without real oversight it's also too easy for local school systems to pamper "pet" teachers and administration who are less than effective.

ParaTed2k

on Dec 09, 2005

I'd settle for being able to fire incompetent teachers and keep good teachers who dare to actually teach their students. Unfortunately, all too often, that seems too much to expect.

Dr Guy

on Dec 09, 2005

I don't buy into merit pay, either.

That said, I do think schools as a whole should have accountability.

You contradict yourself. Bad bosses are with us always. And you have been subjected to them. Yet you perservered. WHy should any PROFESSIONAL be any different? Bad arguement here.

You want blue collar? Join a union. You want Professional, then act like one.

stevendedalus

on Dec 10, 2005

That said, I do think schools as a whole should have accountability. Without real oversight it's also too easy for local school systems to pamper "pet" teachers and administration who are less than effective.

Fine point: cronyism would run rampant.

stevendedalus

on Dec 10, 2005

You want blue collar? Join a union. You want Professional, then act like one.

I commented that Baker was uptight on another blog. Now I accuse you!

What stuff?

Pay attention! Jamie is referring to merit pay as not so simple.

bakerstreet

on Dec 10, 2005

"And you have been subjected to them. Yet you perservered. "

Nope, in every circumstance I was fired. Once to make way for my boss's niece who was sitting there filling out an application at the other end of the desk while I was fired, and another time because I refused to commit an illegal act. Other people were willing to, so I guess they "outperformed" me.

In terms of merit pay for teachers, the problem is the people deciding on the merits of the teachers are probably going to be just as culpable for the failure of the education system as the teachers themselves. I've seen too many good teachers struggling in a system that prefered flunkies over real educators.

Imagine how a teacher's religious perspective would effect how they were received in their jobs, and how that would vary from area to area. Imagine how regulations on keeping order in the classroom effects the overall quality of the education. Nah, there's a lot more at work here than teachers, and their pay shouldn't hang on all those other things.

Dr Guy

on Dec 10, 2005

I commented that Baker was uptight on another blog. Now I accuse you!

I am an in ellite group! Thank you

Pay attention! Jamie is referring to merit pay as not so simple.

And I already gave examples that showed it is not unique to teaching. So again I ask what stuff? You want to disect every position the way the teachers want to be percieved?

Union or Professional. Period. You want to be treated like a professional, act like one. YOu want to be blue collar? Fine, dont expect to be treated as a professional.

Dr Guy

on Dec 10, 2005

Imagine how a teacher's religious perspective would effect how they were received in their jobs, and how that would vary from area to area. Imagine how regulations on keeping order in the classroom effects the overall quality of the education. Nah, there's a lot more at work here than teachers, and their pay shouldn't hang on all those other things.

Imagine how it affects professionals as well. Teachers can be Union, or profesionals. As professionals, we have to deal with prejudice. It happens. As a union, it is written in the contract. And no performace issues are there.

You can get a bad boss! You can get a good one. I have had both. It is the luck of the draw. Want to take a chance and win? Or be safe with no risk?

Draginol

on Dec 10, 2005

Professionals don't belong to unions. By professional I am speaking of it in the traditional sense (as opposed to "Professional base ball player").

One of the bummers of white collar work is that you are at the mercy of your superiors. But in the bigger scheme of things, white collar workers are able to succeed (or fail) based on their personal abilities -- their merits.

stevendedalus

on Dec 11, 2005

white collar workers are able to succeed (or fail) based on their personal abilities -- their merits.

Tell that to the tens of thousands losing their jobs thanks to outsourcing.

One of the bummers of white collar work is that you are at the mercy of your superiors.

a union could solve that nasty problem. I suppose you consider the AMA simply a professional organization that doesn't set such pedestrian things like service fees and leave it to the open market so sick people can run around comparing competitive rates.

stevendedalus

on Dec 11, 2005

As a union, it is written in the contract. And no performace issues are there.

Since the 30s teachers unions, though in their infancy, fought like hell for better professional credentials. Too often school districts had no minimum requirements.

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