Well, we know where John Kerry stands on merit pay for teachers. He's all for it - but only if the NEA approves as well:
NEA also sent a bus on a weeklong tour of Florida's schools, trying to bring out the vote for Kerry while pretending the trip is nonpartisan. Beginning next Monday, until the end of the month, the bus will be touring Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. NEA itself is filming the expedition, which will be wonderful and inspiring for the union if Kerry wins, but will end up in a broom closet somewhere if he loses.
It also appears the Kerry campaign has squared the circle regarding its stated support for performance pay in the face of NEA opposition. Kerry education adviser Robert Gordon told the Cleveland Plain Dealer the performance pay plan would be voluntary and subject to collective bargaining with local teachers' unions. "No one would be forced to do it," Gordon said. "It would reward teachers who go the extra mile. There are many places in the country where unions have set up systems like this."
The Plain Dealer reporter evidently did not ask the appropriate follow-up: "Name them."
Posted by kswygert at October 14, 2004 08:25 AM