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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Katelew who wrote (221030)	2/25/2007 4:50:54 PM
From: Brumar89	Respond to of 281500

Some states have incentive programs already, so they can say this is redundant. Course, they were against those programs when they are proposed - just as Alexander related in his speeech.

To: Katelew who wrote (221030)	2/26/2007 12:37:11 PM
From: Brumar89	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 281500

Wikipedia notes NEA adamantly opposes merit pay. ................ Political opposition The National Education Association (NEA) adamantly opposes merit pay. In June 2003 NEA President Reg Weaver said: "Teachers understand that politically motivated panaceas such as merit pay and eliminating tenure do nothing to improve teacher quality. Our members are open to alternatives, but we will always oppose quick fixes designed to weaken the voice of teachers and effectiveness of education employees in all jobs." [1] ........... en.wikipedia.org Here is a article negative on incentive pay but which nonetheless tells the truth about union opposition to it and explains why they have to lie about the reason for their opposition: The teacher unions are opposed to merit pay because it places the union in an untenable position. For every teacher awarded merit pay, ten others will want the union to file a grievance alleging that they deserved merit pay more than the teachers who received it. In short, merit pay is extremely divisive within the union, and a union must avoid internal controversy as much as possible. However, from a public relations standpoint, the union cannot say that it opposes merit pay because it would be bad for the union. Consequently, the teacher unions allege other reasons for their opposition: merit pay is too subjective, it is used to reward bootlickers and intimidate critics of the administration, and so on. educationpolicy.org Is that too hard for you to understand? I would point out that teachers unions also oppose school choice (though teachers can arrange it for their own children) which is an even much more important issue. The NEA has also sued and lost to try to block the NCLB, is against alternative certification programs, but for tenure for their members. Surprise, surprise. They're a very negative force for education. Here is a NEA poll of their members on various education subjects (note the BS at the end): Poll Finds Teachers' Support for Unions Is Strong Washington, D.C. - Public Agenda's new study, "Stand by Me: What Teachers Really Think about Unions, Merit Pay and Other Professional Matters" confirms that the National Education Association accurately represents the views of its members on merit pay, tenure, and alternative routes to certification. "Teachers understand that politically motivated panaceas such as merit pay and eliminating tenure do nothing to improve teacher quality," said NEA President Reg Weaver. "Our members are open to alternatives, but we will always oppose quick fixes designed to weaken the voice of teachers and effectiveness of education employees in all jobs." The Public Agenda study looked at three key issues currently under consideration at the local, state, and national levels. • Merit Pay: Public Agenda found that most teachers oppose merit pay - based on favoritism and test scores - but many support other non-traditional compensation plans, including extra pay for extra work, incentives to work in schools in need of improvement, and incentives for National Board certification. None of those alternatives are merit pay, and NEA and its affiliates have supported those proposals. • Tenure: Public Agenda found that 58 percent of teachers say "tenure protects teachers from district politics, favoritism and the threat of losing their jobs to newcomers who could work for less." Only one-third of teachers say it is too difficult to dismiss teachers who can't or won't do their jobs. • Alternate Routes to Certification: Teachers recognize the importance of having an educational background both in subject matter and how to teach. Almost 60 percent of teachers said that it is essential for those who enter the teaching profession to go through education programs that cover how children learn and share effective instructional strategies. "For our members, being a union advocate is consistent with their care and commitment to children and to quality education," Weaver said. "This study reveals that once again." nea.org