Dear Editor,
In a terse rebuke to the teacher’s union attempt to regulate
working conditions allowed by state statute, the Dispatch Editorial
Board espouses,
”
What should be in the next contract is a simple math equation
that rewards teachers based on results.
”
Dear Editor,
In a terse rebuke to the teacher’s union attempt to regulate working conditions allowed by state statute, the Dispatch Editorial Board espouses, “What should be in the next contract is a simple math equation that rewards teachers based on results.”
Would the Editorial Board wish to elaborate so that the public, the education employers and employees can take something to the table that is equitable, workable and non-biased?
What teachers would be rewarded … math, science, agriculture, PE teachers, speech therapists, resource specialists, SDC instructors, band, choir, counselors?
What is the reward … money, compensation time off, instructional materials in the classroom, shorter work day, shorter work year?
What is the simple math equation … “If the post-test of student achievement is higher than the pre-test, then staff shall be rewarded?”
Where does the reward pay originate … state base revenue limit, state and/or federal categorical funds, a local parcel tax?
Nothing simple ever works when reward (merit) pay is involved. But there are some changes on the horizon. The National Education Association has been working with the Denver Teachers Association with the ProComp Plan. This is a non-merit pay based compensation system that rewards teachers for student achievement, but in order to run it, Denver passed a local mill levy (parcel tax) of $25 million to cover the estimated future costs.
In the ProComp Plan, staff receive additional compensation (not rewards or merit pay) for increased student achievement, working at low decile schools, participate in staff development, earn advanced degrees, teach at “hard-to-fill positions'” and earn positive evaluations.
The California Teachers Association is actively looking for a group of districts and employee associations to pilot the Denver ProComp Plan. If successful, will the Dispatch Editorial Board support a local parcel tax to fund this plan?
Dale Morejón, Gilroy
