Wednesday, May 17, 2000
Teacher pay plan praised
School, union officials say it'll help kids
By James Pilcher
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Officials from Cincinnati Public Schools and the teachers union said Tuesday a performance-based pay structure is being implemented to boost student achievement, raising the question — will it work?
Given that the evaluation is based on national research into what makes a good teacher, local officials think so.
And so does Ohio school Superintendent Susan Zelman. She said Tuesday that state officials will be watching implementation of the plan carefully and could recommend Cincinnati as a statewide model.
“The real key to raising student achievement is teacher quality,” Dr. Zelman said.
“Not only that, but the plan gives people a sense of control over their careers and treats them like professionals. This makes us a stronger profession.”
The new system — approved unanimously Monday by the Cincinnati Board of Education — will go into effect this fall if the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers approves it in early September as expected.
Under the system, each teacher would be evaluated on 16 criteria by both a supervising administrator and a peer teacher at least once every five years.
The plan will be phased in over five years and is the nation's first teacher pay system that is completely performance-based.
University of Cincinnati education Professor Lawrence Johnson thinks the plan could raise student achievements.
“When you feel what you do makes a difference not only intrinsically but tangibly in terms of money, the more you excel,” said Dr. Johnson, the dean of the UC's College of Education. “When you feel valued and that your work has value ... you do a better job.
“And when teachers do a better job, the students tend to respond.
“For far too long, the system that has been in place has been like the post office where it is based on scale. ... You can see the problems with those systems.”
District and union officials both acknowledged at a Tuesday press conference announcing the plan that its phase-in could be bumpy, especially if an administration review doesn't jibe with the a teacher's peer review.
But Associate Superintendent Kathleen Ware stressed the process can be adjusted and teachers and administrators who will be giving reviews will undergo extensive training.
She said that while performance reviews won't be tied to student achievement, the district will compile statistics to correlate how well teachers do on their reviews with how well students do.
“We want to be able to look at the classroom of a very high-ranking teacher and see students who are showing increases in achievement,” Mrs. Ware said. “And if we don't get that, we'll need to adjust the criteria.”
School board President Rick Williams said the system eventually should raise student performance, even if it takes a while.
“This system fixes itself, and that's the beauty of it,” Mr. Williams said. “It's predicated on research that shows us what works. It is a clear step toward improving student performance.”
Stadium overruns might exceed $45 million
Tax opponent denied entry for stadium tour
Income tax cut dumped in Ohio
No money lost in street deceit
Passengers rate airport No. 1 in U.S.
RADEL: Aquarium sets new standard
Students' Web site has local stories of courage
Teacher pay plan praised
11-year-old guilty of molesting girl, 7
Chiropractor arrested on sex, theft charges
City says judgment threatens payroll
Doctors' group polishes its image
Firefighter convicted in crash
Senate votes to require vaccine
Street targeted for cleanup
CROWLEY: Pols love a good fight
Broadway Series glamorizes 2000-01 schedule
GET TO IT
Pig Parade: Greater Cincinnati Pig
Bras battle for attention
'House of Yes' has offbeat appeal
May Festival tenor cancels
More 'Millionaire' for fall
WB 'steals' two shows to beef up fall lineup
Around the Commonwealth
Auditor checking tax bills
Book collection dedicated
City backs vets' effort
Covington covets grants
Florence makes case for bigger share of Boone Co. budget
Healing alternatives explored
Kenton tax hike advances
Lakota shuffles to ease crowding
Middletown arrests 21 in public housing drug bust
Office-industry park zone OK'd
Small cemetery renewed
Suspect arrested in Laurel stabbing
TANK center not welcome
Trenton list for manager cut to four
Tristate Digest
