re: #362 BryanS

Possibly…but I disagree with the notion that students in poor districts cannot see improvement in a year of teaching. The debate seems stuck on the notion that students coming into a grade are behind, so of course they will test worse than comparable students in a wealthy district.

But I am saying test core competencies once a year. If you teach 4th grade, next year when your students are in 5th grade and tested again, compare competencies as tested and compared to the 4th grade performance. Standardized tests are often given for a range of grades, so it is possible to track improvement.

Then, give bonus pay on improvements. Make that bonus pay go to top performers within a district.

That sounds workable. Of course, the unions will oppose that, since merit pay strikes at their ability to determine top dollar.