New Report Calls for Performance Pay for Teachers

Thursday, April 12, 2007
Topics: Education
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A new report from the Center for Teaching Quality says it's time for teacher pay to be tied to performance. It's not a new idea - the concept has generated controversy in the past. But this time, it's the teachers calling for the change. ideastream's education reporter Dan Bobkoff has more.

The report’s authors are hoping teachers will embrace the idea of performance-pay if the proposal comes from their colleagues.

Lisa Suarez-Caraballo: It’s all about teachers, for teachers, from teachers.

Lisa Suarez-Caraballo is an 8th grade math teacher in the Cleveland school district, and was among 18 teachers from around the country who helped prepare the report.

Performance pay has long been controversial, with many worried that pay could be subject to factors beyond teachers’ control, especially test scores. Suarez-Caraballo says test scores are important, but will be just one factor.

Suarez-Caraballo says teachers she works with warm up to the idea once they learn more. She’s now involved in coming up with a specific proposal for Cleveland.