Clash in class: Teachers fret over pay tied to students
A controversial change by Florida legislators ties teacher pay to student progress
BY HANNAH SAMPSON
Herald/Times Tallahassee Bureau
TALLAHASSEE -- In a session that followed hours -- and days, and weeks -- of rancorous debate, lawmakers were poised late Thursday to pass a bill that would overhaul the way teachers are evaluated, compensated and fired in Florida.
The bill's next stop: the desk of Gov. Charlie Crist. And what he does with it is anyone's guess.
``There are things about it that I like and things about it that give me some concern,'' the governor said Thursday. ``I just want to weigh it out and continue to listen.''
That's a long way from his initial strong support of the bill, leaving opponents of the proposed law optimistic.
``Gov. Crist holds the power to do what's right for students and teachers of Florida,'' said United Teachers of Dade President Karen Aronowitz. ``When he vetoes this bill, he stands up not only for the well being of teachers, but for the stability of local communities.''
The measure passed the Senate last month in a 21-17 vote. Republican leaders pushed the bill through the House with no amendments to send it straight to Crist. Although legislators seemed likely to debate the pros and cons of the bill into the wee hours of Friday morning, the only question about the outcome was what time everyone would go home. Enough Republican votes were locked by the time discussion started at 5 p.m. to easily pass the bill.
Hailed as a way to reward the state's best teachers, the proposed law would base half a teacher's evaluation on students' test performance. Instead of the current system, which rewards teachers based on years of experience, advanced degrees and extra certification, proponents say newer teachers could make more money earlier in their careers if their students are successful.
``What is unacceptable is the status quo -- telling a beginning teacher that no matter what you do in the classroom, there's nothing you can do to increase your pay,'' said Rep. Anitere Flores, a Miami Republican.
But opponents -- many teachers, unions, Democrats and some Republicans -- say the bill would abolish job security, discourage new teachers from working in Florida and prompt existing educators to leave.
Said Broward Teachers Union President Pat Santeramo: ``This is a very dark day for education and teachers in general.''
New teachers would be placed on annual contracts that would not be automatically renewed. Teachers who are already working would not be guaranteed extra pay for future advanced degrees; the program that awards bonuses for National Board Certification would be eliminated for teachers who aren't certified by 2010.
``This bill is totally unnecessary,'' said state Rep. Marty Kiar, D-Davie. ``Also, this bill is just bad.''
He added: ``What good public policy mandates is that this terrible bill dies a very quick death.''
Thousands of educators, parents and students around the state have picketed, e-mailed, called and traveled to Tallahassee to vent their ire.
Thursday, as House members debated the bill, hundreds of Broward teachers marched in protest in Tamarac. At Coral Park High in West Miami-Dade, 1,000 students walked out in opposition to the bill.
While many opponents agreed the measure has some good qualities, most complained about how quickly it had been steered through the Legislature.
``I don't think myself or anyone in this chamber is against the concept of better teachers,'' said Miami Rep. Julio Robaina, a Republican. ``But you know what I want to do? I want to get it right. I want to make sure that we take the time to get it right.''
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