Fla. Ready to Demand Bonuses Based on Test Scores

[Pallida Mors]

"Fla. Ready to Demand Bonuses Based on Test Scores
By Bess Keller
Florida education officials are moving ahead with what would be the nation’s most far-reaching plan to tie teacher bonuses to improved student achievement, despite financial uncertainties and opposition from the state teachers’ union.

The plan, which the state school board was expected to approve this week, would mandate that the top 10 percent of Florida teachers for delivering improved student scores on state tests get bonuses of at least 5 percent of their salary, starting next school year. "

rest of article below.

http://www.edweek.org/agentk-12/arti...24fla.h25.html

Agree, disagree??

I think this is a farse. How can they base anothers pay on how much motivation a child has. Especially in areas with a higher urban populace where youth may or may not be more inclined to pursue knowledge like our beloved Siblesz from Boca Raton does? I think this is politically motivated and is a scheme to send voters the message that "were trying to do something about the education system." And conveniently bring it up around election time.

BTW- How do I create a link or put up pic's of appropriate size for my non-civitate status in this forum?

[Ahlerich]

without really braining that through i think in the land of the bucks it is a good motivation especially for those teachers who just kill time at work

[Pallida Mors]

The teachers claim the reason for low test scores is teaching from teachers who get paid less. The good teachers accept jobs at better paying locations. And the teachers who end up at the public school level arent the best. That being said with the prior argument on urban schools and youth who may or maynot seek the highest levels of education create a natural barrier limiting those who might even try their best at giving the Urban youth the best education they can ultimatly makes working in the public school system a charity. I dont know many teachers who want it to be a charity. They are already underpaid, unless your a college professor. But thats a different topic.

[The Fish]

Pallida, I agree with you. All this will do is get the best teachers out of the worst schools, where they are most needed. There needs to be a comprehensive plan to bring good teachers into poor schools. Paying them LESS because students do badly is simply the most efficient way to get the worst teachers with the worst students.