An editorial in the Roanoke Times shines the light on a “radical” idea that could potentially swing the pendulum back in a positive direction for the school division.
To be sure, this is not one of the packaged, initiative-in-a-box programs that we often read about to save a struggling school district. You’ll not find a new, hollow, eduspeak buzzword attached to this one, either.
They’re talking about fundamental changes to the education model itself.
Yes, the Roanoke City Public School system is about to do the unthinkable; pay the best teachers like the professionals they are. They’re not quite sure how they’re going to do it yet, but it sure as heck looks like they’re headed in the right direction.
What we do know is that it’s neither going to be the classic blanket raise, nor, at the other end of the teacher-pay argument, tied exclusively to test scores. Instead, employees will be rewarded “for meeting individual goals that contribute to the system’s success.”
This sounds like a plan where innovation and entrepreneurism will flourish and stagnation wilts. That’s a recipe for true change. If they do this, and do it right, this will be the dawn of a new era for Roanoke City Schools.
The critics will immediately argue that some teachers may not get the extra pay because of the kids they have in their particular classroom. Let me direct these critics to Jay Matthews’ article in today’s Washington Post; “Sorting Children Into ‘Cannots’ and ‘Cans’ Is Just Racism in Disguise”
The only people who this will not benefit are the ineffective, disgruntled teachers who believe they have kids sitting in their own classrooms who cannot learn what they’re being taught. They will be forced to either re-evaluate their educational philosophies or leave the classroom altogether. Either outcome benefits children.
The hat goes off to RCPS administration.
