I Think Teachers Deserve More Money
I feel that better and experienced teachers would be hired if schools paid teachers a lot more to teach. There wouldn't be as many teachers who don't care about their work or their students in classrooms.
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hippyjoe1955 · 70-79, M
I think most teachers are way over paid as it is. Let their pay reflect their competence. If you are a really good teacher you make a lot more money than if you are a really poor teacher. That gives the poor teachers incentive to find something else to do since they can't teach and gives the good teachers reason to keep improving.
Strictgram · 70-79, C
@hippyjoe1955 Teacher competence is very hard to determine. Merit pay is subject to subjective criteria. You can't judge a teacher by student results. If you have a plan I'd be happy to hear it. I am a former teacher.
hippyjoe1955 · 70-79, M
@Strictgram Actually you can determine teacher competence by student success if you base if over large enough numbers and long enough time. Yes every teacher is going to have a dud student or class but averages don't lie.
Strictgram · 70-79, C
@hippyjoe1955 If a school uses homogeneous grouping the top groups will always outperform the lower groups despite the teacher. Merit pay is often used in a political way. An outspoken or critical teacher may be penalized while a "cooperative" yet incompetent one may be rewarded. I don't disagree with merit pay as a theory just saying it is subject to abuse.
hippyjoe1955 · 70-79, M
@Strictgram You must be a teacher because anyone with a brain understands what I am talking about. School A is in a certain neighborhood with a certain demographic. There are 12 teachers in that school and there are 360 students. Teacher 6's students always out perform teacher 1's students by a wide margin. When teacher 6 is given teacher 1's class the same occurs. Thus it is understood that teacher 6 is a better teacher than teacher 1.
Strictgram · 70-79, C
@hippyjoe1955 How many groups in each grade level? Is homogenous grouping used? Yes, I am a retired teacher. What is your expertise. Why is this such an important issue for you? This is not as simple an issue as you make it out to be. Anyone with an average IQ understands this.
hippyjoe1955 · 70-79, M
@Strictgram Doesn't matter. The fact is some teachers are much better than others on a year over year class over class basis. not everyone with a degree can teach.
Strictgram · 70-79, C
@hippyjoe1955 Grouping system absolutely matters! I agree some teachers are better than others, the same as in every other profession. But it's near impossible to quantify. You didn't say why this issue is so important to you. Did you have a bad experience with a teacher?