I read about the Newark teacher's settlement today in the
Ledger.
One of the statements made was "implementing a system
known as merit pay for the first time in New Jersey".
I beg to differ!
Way back in 1965 when I first began teaching I worked at New
Providence High School in Union County as a chemistry teacher.
At that time there was a "merit pay" system in
place. I was not part of it because it only applied to tenured staff and I was
a first year teacher (just out of college) but I did see how it worked.
The highest possible "score" that could be
obtained by a teacher was a five which of course yielded the largest
"bonus".
All teachers were evaluated and scored by their department
heads, the principal, the superintendent and I seem to remember the vice
principal being involved too.
The evaluations were very subjective and to me seemed
whimsical.
Those in the English department rarely if ever received a
rating of five from their department head. When I asked why, I was told that it
was her feeling that no one was a teacher as good as she and therefore no one
could ever be rated superior. (I don't really know if that was the true reason
but I do know fives were rare if ever for the English staff.)
The people in the math department by contrast, were consistently
rated five by their supervisor. When I asked why, I was told that he often said
that he would never have hired a less than superior teacher and therefore all
were given fives.
As for the superintendent I am not sure what his rating were
based on. I rarely saw him in the building and never saw or heard of him
observing a class. When I asked how he could possibly rate teachers without
actually seeing them perform, the answer was "he knows!"
I could never really understand that answer. I must surmise it
was that he had clairvoyance or ESP
going for him.
The end result of all this was low morale (except for the
people who routinely kissed up and got fives) and dissension.
Additionally, I
don't think that it improved instruction one iota. Most of the people I met
were there doing the best possible job they could because of their
professionalism and their concern for the kids, not for the "five".
This is my experience with the "merit pay" system.
I realize it was a very limited experience and obtained many, many years ago
but it has stuck with me and caused me to view any similar system with grave
suspicion.
I certainly hope that which is implemented in Newark shows
me that my suspicions are misplaced but I'm not so sure that will be true.
My honest opinion is that
the new Newark contract is just another step towards the privatization
of public education. Again I hope I'm wrong!
PS
I don't know when the "merit pay" system was
abandoned in New Providence or how long it lasted. I left the system in 1967.
However it must have been eliminated, otherwise its
proponents surely would now be pointing to its success.
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