Ridiculous. That is how U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan described language in Wisconsin law that prohibits linking student tests and teacher evaluation.
I agree with Secretary Duncan and believe we need to change this out-of-date law. By removing this provision, we will be able to implement effective education reforms in Wisconsin like modern tests that will improve the way we assess student achievement in our state. That is why I have introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 393 and Senate Bill (SB) 258 with Senator Hopper, R-Fond du Lac, which would tear down the barriers between student and teacher data.
Linking student test scores to teacher evaluation is good public policy - if it is done in the right way. Great teachers are invaluable to our children's education, so rewarding our state's best teachers makes a lot of sense.
Therefore, I have recently introduced legislation along with Senator Darling, R-Menomonee Falls, that would set up a merit pay system in Wisconsin modeled after best practices of merit pay legislation in other states. The bill, SB 357, would allow teachers of school districts who choose to participate in the program the opportunity to receive bonuses if their school meets certain criteria.
Specifically, our proposed merit pay program has several main components. First, this bill involves no new money or spending. The program will be funded by $1 million in existing Department of Public Instruction dollars, which will be matched by local school districts.
Second, local control is central to the merit pay program. Involvement in the program is not required and every school district in the state has the opportunity to participate if they choose. Also, local school boards that do participate will have a menu of measureable goals (not just one test) from which they can select like raising or maintaining scores, and improving attendance, dropout, and graduation rates.
Finally, the bonuses will be awarded to an entire school's staff, rather than individual teachers, at the rate of $1,500 for all certified teachers, and $750 for all other support staff. There have been concerns that allowing certain individuals to hand-select those who get the bonuses may not be fair and objective. More importantly, it is nearly impossible to implement an effective and accurate merit pay system based on an individual basis. Leading experts nationwide, including at the University of Wisconsin, have recommended implementing merit pay via "value-added" tests, which measure year-to-year growth. Accurate testing of this nature is not possible at the classroom level and must be done on a school district-wide basis.
I believe that implementing a merit pay program with these guidelines will be an effective and fair way to reward our state's great teachers. If passed, this bill will take a large step toward improving the quality of our children's education. I will continue to press for its advancement in the legislative process.
- Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, serves the 80th Assembly District, which includes all of Green County and parts of Lafayette, Rock and Dane counties.
I agree with Secretary Duncan and believe we need to change this out-of-date law. By removing this provision, we will be able to implement effective education reforms in Wisconsin like modern tests that will improve the way we assess student achievement in our state. That is why I have introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 393 and Senate Bill (SB) 258 with Senator Hopper, R-Fond du Lac, which would tear down the barriers between student and teacher data.
Linking student test scores to teacher evaluation is good public policy - if it is done in the right way. Great teachers are invaluable to our children's education, so rewarding our state's best teachers makes a lot of sense.
Therefore, I have recently introduced legislation along with Senator Darling, R-Menomonee Falls, that would set up a merit pay system in Wisconsin modeled after best practices of merit pay legislation in other states. The bill, SB 357, would allow teachers of school districts who choose to participate in the program the opportunity to receive bonuses if their school meets certain criteria.
Specifically, our proposed merit pay program has several main components. First, this bill involves no new money or spending. The program will be funded by $1 million in existing Department of Public Instruction dollars, which will be matched by local school districts.
Second, local control is central to the merit pay program. Involvement in the program is not required and every school district in the state has the opportunity to participate if they choose. Also, local school boards that do participate will have a menu of measureable goals (not just one test) from which they can select like raising or maintaining scores, and improving attendance, dropout, and graduation rates.
Finally, the bonuses will be awarded to an entire school's staff, rather than individual teachers, at the rate of $1,500 for all certified teachers, and $750 for all other support staff. There have been concerns that allowing certain individuals to hand-select those who get the bonuses may not be fair and objective. More importantly, it is nearly impossible to implement an effective and accurate merit pay system based on an individual basis. Leading experts nationwide, including at the University of Wisconsin, have recommended implementing merit pay via "value-added" tests, which measure year-to-year growth. Accurate testing of this nature is not possible at the classroom level and must be done on a school district-wide basis.
I believe that implementing a merit pay program with these guidelines will be an effective and fair way to reward our state's great teachers. If passed, this bill will take a large step toward improving the quality of our children's education. I will continue to press for its advancement in the legislative process.
- Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, serves the 80th Assembly District, which includes all of Green County and parts of Lafayette, Rock and Dane counties.
