Paying for the best

Merit Pay

The state of Florida can provide us insight into many great education ideas. First of all, they have wonderful educational options for special education students. Secondly, they have several school districts that are participating in merit pay for teachers. Unfortunately, not all districts are taking advantage of this option. According to Tampa Bay’s 10 News, “Officials say the latest incarnation of merit pay for teachers continues to lag with only 26 of Florida's 67 county school districts having applied to participate.”

Merit pay can work on several levels. It can attract better teachers to the field knowing what they could be paid if they excel. Many people would not want to teach because they could find better paying jobs elsewhere. Furthermore, it may give teachers incentives to teach better once they are teaching. When teachers are all paid the same, there is only inner motivation to excel, and not everyone has this. Many teachers may leave the field due to the countless frustrations they must deal with. They encounter red tape around every corner; they should have some bonuses. Merit pay may also help drive the inadequate teachers out of the field.

All in all, merit pay for teachers has many ways it can improve the quality of people in the field. Education is a stepping stone for children, why shouldn’t they have the best?