States Push to Pay Teachers Based on Performance

According to Education Week online, some states are trying to pass laws/incentives that will pay teachers based on the performance of their students. Although the incentives are out there, only few states have are actually taking part in these new strategies. In some states, the idea of this is practically illegal.

Although this may be illegal in some states, many of the states are changing their minds in response to the billions of dollars that the federal government is pumping into grants in order to lure states in. Some research has shown that student achievement improves when teachers are given performance bonuses. Other research has found no correlation.

Most school district's calculate the bonus amounts based on seniority and level of education (i.e. teachers who have a master's degree will get more pay). "In Georgia, Gov. Sonny Perdue is pushing for a law requiring teacher salaries to be based on student test scores and other academic factors rather than years of experience and education." (Education World)

To read the complete article, visit http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2010/04/08/345123usteachermeritpay_ap.html?r=28039582.

In my opinion, I would like to eventually teach in one of the states where this is not being practiced. My plan for my future would include me moving back to my hometown and getting a teaching job locally. My hometown is not located in a rugged or a rough area, it is a rural community where you know most everyone that lives there. I feel that this incentive would be harder for teachers in more urban, "rough" areas. Students that come from troubled homes and troubled areas are more likely to struggle with excelling in their performance than students from families of higher economic status. The home lives and economic status of the students should not be reflected upon the teacher's performance. Even for teachers who do not teach in underprivileged areas, they will have students who have struggles. "Your mother and father just got a divorce, your grandfather died, your boyfriend broke up with you: those kinds of life-altering events have an effect on how you do in class that day, through no fault of the teacher whatsoever," said Gunter, echoing the position espoused by major teacher unions." (Education Week) I do not believe that the performance of the student's should depict bonuses given to teachers, considering that circumstances are not always fair for everyone. Although, I do not support it, the idea of making up to $2,000 extra a year seems very appealing.

"Education Week: Login." Education Week American Education News Site of Record. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Mar. 2010. .