One hot topic across the nation is the idea of performance pay for teachers. Does anyone dispute that a great teacher can make more of a difference in a child's learning than an IPAD or a brand-spanking-new classroom? Of course, the devil is in the details: how does a school district or principal measure teacher performance fairly when so many variables affect student achievement? Educrats from Arne Duncan to Mick Zais are struggling with implementing such programs.
But wait! Superintendent Nancy McGinley of the Charleston County School District has a totally new answer for them: instead of performance pay for teachers, CCSD proposes performance pay for administrators!
Brilliant thinking outside the box, Superintendent! Why hasn't anyone else thought of this approach; after all, it seems so obvious. She even managed to persuade the majority of CCSD Board members to vote for this plan. Unfortunately, only 43 directors can be "incentivized" in this fashion, but it's a start.
Let the peons (excuse me, teachers) do all the work improving student achievement; then let their masters (oops, inhabitants of the Taj Mahal) reap the results! What could be fairer? Why didn't Arne Duncan think of this? Maybe McGinley should be Secretary of Education instead.
As I said, you can't make this stuff up.
Thursday, July 05, 2012
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2 comments:
I think Bill Lewis certainly should be included as a "Director." He doesn't make enough money for the wonderful job he does. Then there is Lou Martin. Real achievement gains at the struggling schools for which he is responsible. I am certain there are more deserving "Directors" than these two scholars, though. Other nominations?
There is Dr. Winbush, for his great strides moving forward at Burke and North Charleston high schools.
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