NEA Rejects Tying Pay, Performance

At a time when attracting and keeping good teachers is approaching a national emergency, the National Education Association (NEA) this week spoke out strongly on the need to increase salaries for teachers and other education employees. The delegates were unified in their commitment to a single salary schedule that rewards experience and knowledge - proven factors that boost student achievement.

The two-hour debate proved just how complex the issue can be. The more than nine-thousand-member assembly rejected a proposal that would have established criteria for alternative compensation programs. Delegates spoke out about the fact that policymakers do not take into account the complex changes teachers confront in the classroom, or the difficulties they face trying to implement new, higher state-based standards.

Bob Chase, president of the 2.5 million-member NEA, praised members for raising the level of public understanding of the complexities surrounding teacher compensation. "For too long, this issue has been focused too narrowly," said Chase. "The issue is teacher quality. We are looking for an opportunity for our members to explore creative approaches that recognize excellence and work to attract and keep high quality teachers. Arbitrary, top-down merit pay systems do not."

Although the resolution initially offered did not pass, the debate brought focus to the issue and highlighted the challenges of developing thoughtful criteria on which to base teacher pay.

The proposed Resolutions language was based on recommendations from the NEA Professional Standards and Practices Committee, which studied the issue of alternative compensation for several months. The Committee's report was approved by the NEA Executive Committee and NEA Board of Directors in May, although the Board dissented with language pertaining to the use of standardized tests to gauge student performance.

Chase attributed the vote to an atmosphere of distrust in some states and localities. "Many of our affiliates have had to contend with a hostile attitude by some legislatures, governors, and school boards that want to pay some teachers more than others as a cost-cutting measure," Chase said. "The delegates were unified in their commitment to fairness, equity, and the importance of compensation as a teacher quality and school employee quality issue."

The Professional Standards and Practices Committee began its work in response to a number of state and local NEA affiliates that have been trying new approaches. The Denver Classroom Teachers Association, for example, is taking part in a pilot program that provides bonuses based on student test scores and other factors. The Hawaii State Teachers Association agreed to a pay for performance system. North Carolina schools have a group bonus program for schools that meet certain goals, which was supported by the North Carolina Association of Educators.

"Increasingly, our affiliates wanted help with analyzing and evaluating different types of proposals," Chase said. "The action today does not mean that NEA will in any way sanction those existing efforts - or prevent state and local affiliates from trying new approaches. However, the ability of the NEA to assist such efforts is constrained."

Today's debate reflects a long track record of NEA's devotion to New Unionism - a new style of unionism that encourages innovation and risk-taking. Three years ago NEA eliminated some barriers to exploring peer assistance and review programs.

"Today's debate sparked renewed vigor among our members for competitive teacher salaries that draw and keep the best and brightest in teaching," said Chase. "It also underscores our commitment to incentives that promote higher skills and knowledge, such as National Board Certification and advanced degrees."

	Related Links NEA Web site

	Search LAEP advanced search