Let me see - Goldman Saks bonuses are ? million? $275 is going to motivate a teacher to do what? How are these bpnuses given out and by what criteria? Test scores, performance reviews, parent comments, politics?? Really?

What a waste of cash

Bonuses have nothing to do with test scores improving. These schools were mostly all "turnaround" schools where, as a condition of teachers working there, they agree to work longer hours and have school on saturday for strugglers (and were duly compensated for their extra time)The test scores at these schools were low, that's how they earn turnaround status. The teachers work extremely hard at these schools and should be lauded, but test scores did not rise because of bonuses - many other factors came into play, including giving these schools millions in race to the top money to add extra programs, that, as a traditional school, I wish we would be eligible for. At Orchard Gardens, for instance, they raffled off video game systems to those who attended saturday school. Seemingly they have so much money they didn't quite know how to spend it all. The RTT money will eventually run out. Individual teacher bonuses will lead to cutthroat competition among teachers, and squash collaboration. If I'm going to be competing against a fellow math teacher for bonus money, why would I want to help my colleague - every man/woman for him/herself. Additionally, teachers would advocate to take the easiest students to teach, no longer would teachers want to accept behavioral problems, special needs children, or ELLS - teachers with any pull in their schools would try to cherry pick their students because their jobs depend on it. Make no mistake - along with the carrot will come the stick, and teachers who do not up these overemphasized test scores each and every year will get the stick. And lastly there is cheating. If teachers livelihood depends on a test score not only will there be pressure to cheat on tests, if one person does it it will make the teachers who play by the rules look the 'bad' teachers. Just look at the DC and atlanta cheating scandasl. No, there are ulterior motives behind teacher bonuses. It's to break the union, turnover teachers before retirement so pensions will not have to be given, and outsource these jobs to less experienced teachers who do not cost as much. If I ever got a bonus check I would not cash it, I don't think it's good for students or teachers. There is enough teaching to the test as it is. Giving bonuses doesn't help, and teachers work as hard as they can as it is. This is the education world, not the corporate. Sadly the corporate world is trying to take over to privatize and profit. This is just a step in that direction.

...and the idiots who oversee "education" now see this as progress. I teach at a "good" school (read: the parents do their jobs). I won't see a dime - nor should I!