Good Sawchuk article on Pittsburgh's new teacher contract, which includes several differentiated compensation elements. It's a pretty confusing agreement, but that's probably the result of lots of district-union negotiation.
Performance pay is gaining momentum. I'm encouraged about this, but before we get too excited we need to acknowledge the challenges associated with making these programs work. That's going to call for lots of research and level-headed thinking.
I know that the national unions aren't as excited about these developments as some of us (though the AFT is more favorable than the NEA), but I'm hoping that they get involved in serious program evaluation work.
If they do, and are completely honest brokers?that is, not merely look for opportunities to put down differentiated compensation?we might figure out what types of bonuses work best, how base pay should be set, how evaluations are included, whether new pay programs affect current teachers or teacher recruitment efforts more, and so on.
If merit pay advocates, unions, and academics go about this the right way, we have the chance of moving away from rigid pay scales in a way that's sensible and sustainable.
?Andy Smarick