As a member of the UFT, I’m actually not opposed to school choice. I think it holds union members in check and creates a little bit of competition, which is good. I think teachers need more incentives to do better in the classroom like merit pay for higher test scores
If everything were on an even playing field, I wouldn’t mind the competition. But when you get to pick and choose your students, deceive people into paying tax dollars towards schools their children will never step foot in, ostracize the poor and lower-middle class, and siphon tax dollars from the community, it’s not really a fair fight.
Merit pay is also dangerous. Teachers who are given programs with lower performing students are at an unfair disadvantage right off the bat through no fault of their own. It also naturally benefits well-funded schools in wealthier neighborhoods. It also incentivizes teachers to avoid schools where test scores are lower, leaving those students in the lurch.
I agree with you on the premise of merit pay. School choice and competition between charter schools and public schools isn’t that bad on the surface and I do believe parents should have somewhat of a choice of to not send their kids to government schools. Catholic schools used to be a very good option however, it can be very pricey. Charter schools do provide an alternative that can be enticing and can be productive as long as it doesn’t take away too many resources from public schools In New York City we are very well funded and teachers are very well paid so I do believe this city has some room for some charter growth. However, sharing buildings should not be an option and there should be a level of teacher protection in the charter schools. The real issue of the matter is that in New York City we do not spend time emphasizing the ingredients that make a child learn more efficiently. And that is nutrition and exercise. Those are not emphasized enough.
Thank you for grounding us in clarity speak! And you do it with such style. Enjoyed your insights and tone. Well done.
As a member of the UFT, I’m actually not opposed to school choice. I think it holds union members in check and creates a little bit of competition, which is good. I think teachers need more incentives to do better in the classroom like merit pay for higher test scores
If everything were on an even playing field, I wouldn’t mind the competition. But when you get to pick and choose your students, deceive people into paying tax dollars towards schools their children will never step foot in, ostracize the poor and lower-middle class, and siphon tax dollars from the community, it’s not really a fair fight.
Merit pay is also dangerous. Teachers who are given programs with lower performing students are at an unfair disadvantage right off the bat through no fault of their own. It also naturally benefits well-funded schools in wealthier neighborhoods. It also incentivizes teachers to avoid schools where test scores are lower, leaving those students in the lurch.
I agree with you on the premise of merit pay. School choice and competition between charter schools and public schools isn’t that bad on the surface and I do believe parents should have somewhat of a choice of to not send their kids to government schools. Catholic schools used to be a very good option however, it can be very pricey. Charter schools do provide an alternative that can be enticing and can be productive as long as it doesn’t take away too many resources from public schools In New York City we are very well funded and teachers are very well paid so I do believe this city has some room for some charter growth. However, sharing buildings should not be an option and there should be a level of teacher protection in the charter schools. The real issue of the matter is that in New York City we do not spend time emphasizing the ingredients that make a child learn more efficiently. And that is nutrition and exercise. Those are not emphasized enough.