UFT leaders talk a game on class size and high stakes testing but always take the low road. There is heavy criticism emerging on parent blogs where people have been aligned with Randi and waiting for her to deliver. Godot will arrive sooner.
http://missmalarkey.blogspot.com/
Her latest post poses the question:
Will it be possible for personal feelings to stay out of this process? I doubt it.
Glad to see her posting again 
I love this new combat, er, merit pay. It'll make the trains run even closer to on time!
In defense of the TFA alum, the program makes no pretense about its recruitment objectives. The admissions directors are clear that the program is meant to draw from future education reform leaders in all sectors, not just the classroom.
But I don't understand why the Times writer didn't note whether that teacher, or what number of TFA teachers, might be eligible for this new incentive.
My first post!
Amen to that! This whole merit pay thing is a joke. In my school, I can see the a$$ki$$ers getting all the money....I mean why would school aides and secretaries be eligible as well????
Anyway, this whole thing is a sad, cruel joke perpetuated on the membership by the inept, uncaring and megalomaniacal UFT leadership.
The same with 25/55. What about those of us who started right out of college? DO WE GET TO RETIRE AFTER 25 YEARS, or do I have to work 34 years to retire? Will I have to pay the extra money anyway????
I would rather see this "bonus" money go towards smaller class sizes, building new schools, relieving overcrowding (especially in the Queens high schools) and also for starting a search committee for a competent schools chancellor.
Elissa Gootman probably got "merit pay" for writing that crap in the Times. Real education reporters like Michael Winerip, who know the truth, are now in the Parenting Section.
6 reforms? They all sound good to me.
Thanks to the UFT, how many have we achieved? Well, zero out of six ain't bad.
Yes, Michael Winerip and Samuel Freedman are my NYT education reporting heroes. Gootman can be shrewd, but too cautious. I frequently feel that she's missing part of the point or just chooses not to go there.
Joe Torre felt pay incentive based on performance was enough of an insult for him to turn his back at being the last Yankee manager to walk off the field at Yankee Stadium.
I might not be as good at my job as Torre was at his, but the sense of being insulted is just as strong.
thanks for doing the math; i laughed when i read in the initial press release that the $3000+ would attract "better teachers" to high needs schools
I too was impressed by Torre's statement. Merit pay is saying we don't teach unless we have a monetary incentive. Torre also said he started every season with great expectations. We as teachers do too.
But lately teaching to tests is more important than the value of a well-rounded education.
Edwize had the head of Acorn write a post that was also insulting. People seem to think money is the answer to retention rather than better discipline, class size, and better facilities.
I am an end of career teacher. First, I would not go to another school for a few bucks. There are other ways to "pad my pension" if I am so inclined. Second, I am willing to bet that the schools will not want to pay my salary since they can get newbies for less. Third, even if I go, and I make a difference, I'm only going for the one year bonus. What happens to the school when I leave? Does the school plan on succeeding with new teachers every year? Kids need continuity.
Delphine if you didn't start between the ages of 26 and 36 or take a leave in between, then there doesn't look to be any benefit for you.
Does the 2 year extra pension time still exist if a Tier l or 2 person opts in? I know of many Tier 1 people who have the age, but not the time.
Commenting by HaloScan
