Florida Teachers and Lawmakers Brawl Over Merit Pay Education Reform While Kids Lose

Florida waits to hear Governor Charlie Crist's decision about the merit pay bill (SB6). The Florida congress passed the bill that would tie teacher pay to performance. In essence, Florida legislators are saying good teachers should be paid more and bad teachers should find another profession. Teachers answer back "you try teaching a bunch of problem kids while making no money."

The Seminole County School board voted unanimously to send a letter to Crist, urging him to veto the bill. And the battle goes on. And the kids lose.

I certainly support teachers and understand the difficult and very important work they do. However, I am frustrated with a seeming opposition to every reform. Especially when reform has worked in the past. Teachers fought tooth and nail against accountability in the form of standardized tests. Yet, testing did not prove to be the end of the world. In fact, schools, teachers and students have improved since implementation of these tests.

Our children need reform now. Too many children are getting left behind. And I know there are teachers out there who can reach them. Let's do whatever we must to motivate those teachers and encourage others to go into teaching.

Maybe we should look more closely at how "merit" is determined. Tying it to test scores may not be the best strategy. Right now teachers get paid based on degrees held and how long they've been teaching, regardless of how well they've been teaching. In fact, teaching is the only profession where after you've been doing it long enough you pretty much can't get fired. Some have suggested merit should be determined just as it is in the real world. The boss should decide who should get a raise. In this case, the boss would be principals.

But whatever we do, we must do something. I am not for a resounding "no" to every plan. Walking out, protesting and calling in sick is not going to get the job done. The republicans have given their ideas. Democrats and teachers' unions need to work together with the lawmakers and business leaders who are pushing for reform. Or at least offer an alternative.