The fact that a how do you handle pension shortfalls ultimately targeted teachers, leading to sweeping statements about quality of teachers, and finally to somewhat inexpert ideas at performance measures for teachers is interesting.
Perception is reality for a lot of folks. Education is an industry, although noone thinks of it as such. However, we all know a couple if not several teachers that either don't seem to care or are so burned out they should not be teaching. However, teacher's unions are probably the strongest unions left in America, and they do a good job of "protecting their own". it seems nothing short of a felony conviction will get a longtime teacher fired or disciplined. There is no measurement of performance like you see in law enforcement or other govt jobs. Plus, a lot of folks are envious of the amount of benefits teachers get, like 3 months off every year.
I would have given ANYTHING NOT to have BOTH parents home during the summers when I was a kid..........
So the solution to the original problem is to find low paid good teachers with poor pension prospects. Educate me here. What is the discussion.
Insustainability of the benefits packages the teachers get. Our school district was looking at building a new elementary school, and their research indicated they would need 3 kindergarten teachers, whose salry and beenfit packages would total almost $100,000 a year each. That's not sustainable.
I'm wondering how many in this discussion have no personal skin in the education game. (Meaning children or grandchildren in better suburban public schools or private schools or meaning no kids currently receiving the service anymore.)
I have two children in the school district, and am a strong supporter of teachers. However, fiscal responsiblity HAS to be implemented, whether folks like that or not..........
My son's 5th grade teacher is one of only 3 male teachers in the school. He is a great guy, just got his Masters in education, he did his thesis on how electronic learning can help students survive in a digital world. My son's class write blogs, does presentation on Smart Boards, puts together Powerpoint presentations, and the class has 15 MACS that are almost always in use..........I personally would love to sit in that class!