“[If] we do a proof of concept demonstration that works by piloting this in districts across our state, that will create a much stronger argument to win the day [for funding], State Board of Education chairman Eric Davis said during Wednesday’s discussion of the new model.
Hate to break this to the state board, but we already have piloted a “pay for performance” system of teacher recompense.
Anyone who has taught in North Carolina for an extended period of time remembers that we had the ABC’s in effect for years which gave teachers/schools bonuses based on scores. One problem with that model was that it pitted teachers against each other. Another problem is that Raleigh decided not to fund it any longer.
Hell, the fact that DPI and the NC General Assembly won’t even acknowledge the LEANDRO court decision tells us that Raleigh won’t even adequately fund public education as it stands right now.
Besides, that “proof of concept demonstration” seems rather odd considering that there is no definite plan that has been offered to actually put into effect. Furthermore, what is to really be measured when it comes to the success or failure of the pilot? If it is to recruit and retain great teacher candidates, then how many years would it take to adequately see true results?
Would school systems ask to be part of the pilot just to be able to give some sort of raise in attracting much needed teachers in the now and hope for the best afterwards?
How transparent will it be considering that the EVAAS measurement tool is still based on a secret algorithm?
As Eric Davis says,
But there is that thing about change. Maybe we should try these first before adding to the list of failed reforms with this new licensure/pay plan.
1. Move Teacher Pay Kept To The National Average
2. Reinstate Due-Process Rights
3. Reinstate Graduate Degree Pay Bumps
4. Reinstate Retiree Health Benefits For New Teachers
5. Stop Merit Pay
6. Reinstate Longevity Pay
7. Restrengthen Health Insurance and Benefits
8. Stop Attacks on Teacher Advocacy Groups (NCAE)
9. Stop The Revolving Door of Standardized Tests
10. Place Caps on Class Sizes
11. Stop Relying On Amorphous Measures Like “Graduation Rates”
12. Stop Using A School Grading System That Weighs Test Scores Over Growth
13. Hire 10,000 Teacher Assistants
14. Stop The Read to Achieve Initiative
15. Stop Unregulated Educational Savings Accounts
16. Stop The Opportunity Grants
17. Cap The Number of Charter Schools
18. Revitalize The Teaching Fellows Program And Expand It To ALL UNC-system Campuses
19. Stop The Frozen Salary Scale For Years 15-24
20. Follow Through On LEANDRO Decision
caffeinated rage 
Amen!!
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Exactly. It is so frustrating to have someone say “we may be able to get the funding” as if it was for a noble cause. It is not. It is, ultimately, to carve even more money out of the budget. This plan is a disaster in the making. Shall we take bets on how fast the lawsuits will begin? Class action suits? Has anyone considered what it will be like when white “advanced ” teachers (with no master’s degrees) have to give promotions to black assistant teachers, when there is competition for those spots? The salary jumps are truly life changing. People will fight for those promotions. It will be all competition and little to no cooperation.
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Seems to me you are asking for common sense and the obvious. However, the twenty concepts proposed fly into the headwind generated NCGA leadership that seeks only to cut taxes.
Reduction of education expenses especially educator salaries, are the largest and easiest means of achieving said aim.
In truth, I believe the next step for Berger and Moore is to sponsor an amendment to the state’s constitution eliminating the requirement for the North Carolina to fund K-12 education. Let the families pay for education local initiatives.
Now there is a grand idea!
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