Pay for Performance in D.C. Schools

The Washington DC's teacher union ratified a contract that bases pay on performance not seniority yesterday. As reported in the Washington Post article "D.C. teachers' union ratifies contract, basing pay on results, not seniority," a voluntary performance pay program which will be based on improvements in student test scores and other criteria begins this fall could add between $20,000 to $30,000 to D.C. teachers' salaries. The contract also allows principals to use job performance, instead of seniority, as the main determinant when reducing staff because of declining enrollment or program changes.

New York City will no longer pay some teachers to do nothing

New York City pays some $30 million a year to some 650 educators who do nothing. As reported in the Associated Press article "NYC to stop paying teachers to do nothing" these teachers go to reassignment centers or "rubber rooms" everyday and surf the Net, play scrabble or read. Educators can spend months or even years in these rubber rooms while awaiting disciplinary hearings. Under a new agreement with the United Federation of Teachers, most of the teachers will be given administrative or nonclassroom work while their cases are pending. Teachers accused of serious charges including violent felonies, however will be suspended without pay.