September 7, 2008
Merit pay no reward for some teachers
Union head: Bonus is not given to all deserving educators
Adam Ziglar
More than 900 Escambia County teachers will receive bonus checks of more than $2,000 as part of a state plan that links bonuses to student performance and professional accomplishments.
Michelle Lingo, a media specialist at Hallmark Elementary School, is among those who will receive the bonus.
"Just like in the business world, they give rewards for those who are successful," she said. "Hard-working teachers deserve credit for a job well done. This is a great way to keep Florida's teachers from leaving the classroom. The goal of the program is to move your school forward."
Karen Corcoran doesn't see it that way.
The 11th-grade history teacher at Escambia High School earned the merit pay bonus but sees it as unethical and plans to send the money back to the state.
"I'm only as good as the support I get," she said. "I have gotten wonderful support from the district and my administration. The ethical thing is recognizing everybody has earned that money, not me alone."
Gail Husbands, president of the teachers union, the Escambia Education Association, is pleased deserving teachers will be rewarded with the $2.1 million in checks to be passed out Sept. 15.
Still, Husbands said the plan doesn't reward every worthy teacher. The union worked with the district to hash out an agreement on who would receive bonuses.
"One thing inherently wrong with merit-pay schemes is that everyone who meets the standards doesn't get paid," Husbands said.
Out of some 3,000 teachers districtwide, about 1,850 teachers were eligible for the bonuses and fewer than half will receive the checks.
"I believe our process was as fair as it could be, but it points out the obvious flaws," Husbands said.
The Escambia School District is one of only nine districts in the state participating in the merit program, for which the Legislature appropriated about $38 million. ...
Sixty percent of a teacher's performance is based on measurable student achievement, such as the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test and national industry certifications earned by students in career courses. The other 40 percent of a teacher evaluation is based on things such as professional practices used in the classroom. ...
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