Originally Posted by Val
This article in the NY Times describes a study of reactions (or lack thereof) to high-quality teachers.

Excerpt:

As things stand now, according to a study by the New Teacher Project, a Brooklyn-based policy group, many school managers make no distinction between high-performing and low-performing teachers. The result is that poor teachers stick around while good teachers go elsewhere or leave the profession, frustrated because they are not promoted, rewarded with better pay, or even simply acknowledged.

Unions oppose "merit pay" and demand that pay and continued employment be based on seniority. In our district and many others, teachers get "professional status" (lifetime tenure) after three years.

Government workers, including public school teachers, should not be unionized. Sending more money to unionized quasi-monopolies will primarily benefit the union members.

"To see what is in front of one's nose needs a constant struggle." - George Orwell