"Those who have most at stake in the old culture, or are most rigid in their beliefs, try to summon people back to the old ideas."

Teacher’sUnion Leader Pessimistic on Contract by Bill Turque  Washington Post Staff Writer reveals that D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee’s latest proposal would require tenured teachers to spend a year on probation in exchange for huge salary increases and bonuses.  Yes!  An opportunity to change an antiquated pay scale —an opportunity for tenured teachers to see their compensation more in line with their expertise…  Will this proposal become a reality?  Likely not… 

Union Leader George Parker said “Rhee's measure would unfairly deprive teachers of due process rights and expose them to arbitrary firing by principals.”  Come on…

What do teachers really have to fear? Sure there are a few teachers that just aren’t getting the job done…  Those that have the most at stake—hmmm….. like the teachers’ union and poor performing teachers—they will likely be the ones to put the kibosh on this very interesting proposal. 

I say what’s more important?  That we preserve the old system, a system that rewards time served, or that we start to reward quality educators and weed out the teachers that aren’t performing?  As a parent and tax payer, I’m thinking I’d vote in favor of such a proposal…  I’m thinking that if I were a teacher in Washington D.C. I would be in favor of this measure, as well.  I’m proud to say that I am a dang good educator, and I would gladly put myself on probation for a year to increase my salary: teachers with five years of experience could go from $46,500 to as much as $101,000 by 2010. Pay for a teacher with 10 years of service could jump from $56,200 to as much as $122,500.  It’s about time that teachers are paid what they’re worth, and if some teachers fear that they are not worth the pay, well…  what can I say about that… 

 


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