We have been a proponent of giving serious consideration to teacher incentives as a tool to focus educators on educational outcomes. Some experiments seem to suggest that remarkable results may be achieved with teacher incentive programs. Others continue to suggest that incentives are misplaced in the education arena. The US Department of Education recently announced substantial grant awards to several large school systems (i.e. Denver, Chicago) for the purpose of experimenting with incentive programs.
Generally, we are not impressed with the arguments against incentives. Incentives have been successfully used in many settings. Of course, any poorly conceived or poorly implemented program may not accomplish the stated goals.
Reg Weaver, the President of the NEA, recently wrote a credible argument against the use of incentives. We think both sides of the debate deserve a hearing and truth will win out. In the essay, Mr. Weaver argues that money could better be spent on fair compensation, other adequate resources and increased emphasis on respecting the role of teachers. We agree with all of these suggestions, but also believe that incentives can increase focus and results. To read his article "....Steer Clear of Merit Pay..." click << here. (From the Christian Science Monitor 11/13/2006)
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