I guess since Florida Republicans like to grade teachers on how they perform we should do the same to them. For example, if voters are unhappy with state Senate President Mike Haridopolos’ performance, who has violated a few ethics laws in his day, then we should have the option of either lowering his pay or simply getting rid of him.
Seems logical, right? I mean, that’s how Florida Republicans want to pay state teachers.
Today the Florida Senate approved a merit pay bill that basically judges teachers on how students perform on standardized tests. Not that Florida hasn’t been criticized enough for the FCAT (Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test) but they are in the process of developing more standardized tests to judge students. Again, sounds logical right?
The bill will also end tenure for newly hired teachers by placing them on annual contracts and creating a new system where only certain teachers will receive raises.
If you recall last year former Florida Governor Charlie Crist vetoed a version of this bill that supported performance-based pay for teachers and Democrats were ready to beat the doors of Crist’s office down if he let it pass. But now tricky Ricky is in office and he’s all for the new bill.
Scott has stated, the state should ensure that the most effective teachers are paid more and Florida will be better served if this is done.
So, let me get this straight. Scott wants to create more than 700,000 jobs in Florida and close the gaping budget hole by paying teachers more? Oh, and he also wants to cut the education budget by $4.8 billion dollars and force teachers to pay 5 percent of their salaries into the state pension fund.
I don’t know about you but I’m lost and confused. If Scott and the state Republicans are so hell bent on closing the budget gap then why are we talking about a pay raise for teachers when you want to cut funding for education?
Does not compute…does not compute.
This is why: Because Rick Scott and Florida Republicans couldn’t care less about education, students and teachers. This is just another way of furthering Scott’s plan to stick a knife in the heart of progress in Florida.
Rick Scott killed high speed rail and it seems that he’s out to do the same to education.
One thing seems clear about Scott and the Republicans up in Tallahassee: The state of Florida is in more than financial trouble.
-JH
