Thursday, June 3, 2010

Merit Pay

Hello everybody. Recently, where I live , a new system of pay has been implemented. It is not exaclty merit pay, but it is avery close cousin. Here are the major details that I think you should know:
1). ALL teachers, regardless of years are going to start at a base pay.
2). That base pay will INCREASE OR DECREASE based on evaluations that are done by the principal throughout the year AND student achievement scores.
3). If it decreases, you have two years to improve, or you will be let go.
4). If your evaluations are excellent, and student achievement is low, you will not increase on the pay scale.
5). All evaluations are the same--for classroom teachers, music teachers, p.e. teachers, etc....

Let me know what you think, or if you have any more questions. This is being implemented in August (where I live)--it is not an idea, or the beginning of research.

9 comments:

  1. WOW! It really is a close cousing. Not sure how I feel about this one.
    I think I will "ponder" this one....

    ReplyDelete
  2. Interesting... This is something that I will have to read up on.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sounds like a great way to scare off potential teachers! I believe in requiring excellence from teachers, but not sure I agree with this being the way to get it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. In theory, it seems like a good idea. In reality, it is not a fair way to determine one's salary.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am not sure about this, what if personalities clash? Is this only for teachers or is there a way principals get evaluated also?
    Michelle

    ReplyDelete
  6. Do they still pay for extras like coaching, academic supplements and so forth?

    ReplyDelete
  7. The personalities clashing is a huge issue. There are many teachers that feel the evaluations will be biased. Principals are not getting evaluated as of yet. I have a feeling they will in the near future. And as far as I know, yes..they still pay for the extras.

    ReplyDelete
  8. We are not magicians... Students learn at different rates and levels...(Isn't that what ALL studies have shown). When they pay us based on student performance... they are expecting us to perform miracles. The last man who walked the Earth and could do that-created these differentiated learners...go figure. It makes me furious!!! When we start getting paid on that basis...I will seriously reconsider leaving nursing... sad but true.

    ReplyDelete