New HISD pay scheme tied to test scores

HISD will give annual bonuses to teachers whose students test well under an incentive pay program the school board adopted yesterday — one of the most aggresive such plans in the country. The bonuses could end up being over $3,000 for teachers whose students do exceptionally well on state and national standardized tests.

"The eyes of the nation are upon us," Saavedra said after the vote, which followed a visit from University of Texas quarterback Vince Young. "This recommendation will ensure that the academic growth of every student in this district becomes important and is rewarded."

Good lord, is there anywhere Vince Young isn't this week? Oh, back to the point. The bonus plan has drawn criticism from the Houston Federation of Teachers, which says the money would be better used for across-the-board raises. HFT President Gayle Fallon told the AP the plan is "nothing but test scores" — and yes, that seems to be the case. It throws out the traditional teacher pay scale that's based on experience and education levels in favor of test scores. It doesn't seem exactly right, but it's the way the state's (and the country's) educational systems are going. Tests are all that matter these days. (Merit-based rewards formerly depended on schools' performance, not individual teachers'.)

The new pay scheme will cost $14.5 million the first year and will increase by $8 million each year for the next five years. Bonuses could eventually reach $10,000, the AP reported.