Merit v. Tenure

Education is essential for success. Even in a politically divided nation, this is something on which everyone can agree.\nWhy is it, then, that some are standing in the way of educational progress?\nThe idea of merit-based pay isn't new. It's something almost every industry in the world uses in deciding things like raises and promotions. Teachers unions, however, have declared war to prevent this common sense idea from being used in education.\nCalifornia is in clear need of educational reform. To this end, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed a policy that seems radical to the educators' unions.\nAccording to a March 11 article in The North County Times, Schwarzenegger wants to move the state's educators to a merit-based pay system and eliminate the current tenure-based system. Predictably, the teachers' unions are up in arms about this.\nJim Thomas, president of the Temecula Valley Educators Association, said "Merit pay is unfair and based on subjective criteria." Unions fear their members would be paid less and be easier to fire if they fail to meet standards.\nI got news for you, Jim.\nThe state has every right to evaluate the quality of teachers because if they don't, students will pay the price of poor education later. The fact is, by tying teacher quality to teacher pay, the state of California is ensuring all students receive a good education. By opposing this merit-based pay system, the unions are risking the quality of California kids' educational instruction. \nUnfortunately, the problem of tenure-based pay isn't limited to California.\nVirginia's current tenure-based system is in need of reform as well. The teachers' unions there are just as opposed to such common sense reform.\nAccording to a March 29 article in The Roanoke Times, GOP gubernatorial candidate Jerry Kilgore wants to implement a system similar to Schwarzenegger's. Among other things, he has called for the implementation of a lucrative bonus system for teachers who earn advanced degrees in high-demand subject areas such as math and science.\nThe most controversial aspect, however, has to be Kilgore's plan to create a statewide task force assigned to develop and implement a merit-based pay system. Overall, he wants to tie pay increases and advancement opportunities to subject knowledge and peer evaluations.\nMaybe the teachers fear they won't pass the test.\nRegina Smith, president of the Montgomery County Education Association, claims teachers are opposed to the plan because "A merit pay system is going to foster dissension in the ranks."\nA more accurate description might be "jealousy" in the ranks.\nIt sounds to me like some teachers are worried that others might come along with advances degrees and more subject knowledge and, consequently, be eligible for increased pay. By holding advanced degrees, teachers have a better knowledge of their subject matter and a better ability to impart knowledge to their students. By opposing this merit-based pay system, teachers' unions in Virginia, just like in California, are putting their students' education in serious jeopardy.\nI could go on with examples from other states, but the pattern is obvious:\nTeachers unions are standing in the way of educational progress by obstructing merit-based pay initiatives. If the unions are so concerned about the well-being of teachers, then why are they opposing measures that will result in deserving teachers being paid more?\nI don't know if it's because they're scared of increased competition for raises, or if it's because they just don't want to change. What I do know is that by linking teacher quality with teacher pay, we would guarantee that the teachers in our school systems will be the most qualified.\nIf the teachers' unions win this fight, then we're likely to settle for mediocrity in the classroom.\nI think America's students deserve better than that.