What would it feel like if every morning you watched your child go to school knowing that the teachers were the best around? What would it feel like if you knew the teachers who were just not cutting it had decided to move on? How great would it be if you knew your child's most influential teacher was rewarded for her performance?
All of this could be attained if we allowed some sort of merit pay or performance pay for teachers. Would you want a teacher who repeatedly fails your child and other children to be paid the same as other teachers who are excelling at their job? I would surely not. This would only encourage them to teach inadequately. Many great teachers may realize with their skills, they could earn more elsewhere and decide to leave the teaching field. Furthermore, teachers who are secured with tenure will have no incentive to try hard or even care of their lack of performance.
If merit pay began, teachers who consistently teach the children well will recognize their efforts paying off when they start to receive larger pay checks, which will only encourage them to work even harder. Those who do not do well, will either move onto another career, or decide to get their act together and teach better.
If we are going to do anything to help our schools improve, we can start with this one small step. In my mind, it is worth a shot!
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