Post by mikekerstetter on Mar 26, 2011 4:32:23 GMT -5
www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/561806/Corbett-looking-for-education-accountability.html?nav=5004
Corbett looking for education accountability
March 22, 2011
Save | Bookmark and Share
If Gov. Tom Corbett has his way, the public education system in Pennsylvania will change markedly during his term in office.
During his budget address last week, Corbett called on school employees to agree to a one-year pay freeze due to the state's budget crunch. He said voters should have more authority to veto local tax increase. And he said it should be easier for school districts to lay off teachers.
But there's more, it turns out.
On Monday, acting Education Secretary Ronald Tomalis said the administration is working to develop of a new A-to-F grading system for public schools and merit pay for teachers.
As much a sea change as all these measures would represent, what they really amount to is more accountability on all levels of the public school system. We doubt the average Pennsylvanian would have much objection to that.
Certainly we'd like to see the best teachers who are giving the greatest effort and performance be rewarded with something more. The existing pay system almost exclusively based on longevity in a classroom does not match how most of the working world operates. Such a measure, however, needs a strong local element and a fair method and clearinghouse for evaluation.
Likewise, grading schools is tricky business. Again the key is a fair method and clearinghouse for such evaluations.
At the very least, we are heartened by an honest attempt to put in place the same yardsticks of performance for the public education system that exist in most parts of the private sector. For the billions spent on public education in this state, no one should need to apologize for exploring how more accountability can be injected into the system.
Corbett looking for education accountability
March 22, 2011
Save | Bookmark and Share
If Gov. Tom Corbett has his way, the public education system in Pennsylvania will change markedly during his term in office.
During his budget address last week, Corbett called on school employees to agree to a one-year pay freeze due to the state's budget crunch. He said voters should have more authority to veto local tax increase. And he said it should be easier for school districts to lay off teachers.
But there's more, it turns out.
On Monday, acting Education Secretary Ronald Tomalis said the administration is working to develop of a new A-to-F grading system for public schools and merit pay for teachers.
As much a sea change as all these measures would represent, what they really amount to is more accountability on all levels of the public school system. We doubt the average Pennsylvanian would have much objection to that.
Certainly we'd like to see the best teachers who are giving the greatest effort and performance be rewarded with something more. The existing pay system almost exclusively based on longevity in a classroom does not match how most of the working world operates. Such a measure, however, needs a strong local element and a fair method and clearinghouse for evaluation.
Likewise, grading schools is tricky business. Again the key is a fair method and clearinghouse for such evaluations.
At the very least, we are heartened by an honest attempt to put in place the same yardsticks of performance for the public education system that exist in most parts of the private sector. For the billions spent on public education in this state, no one should need to apologize for exploring how more accountability can be injected into the system.
