Reader comments
Obama offers schools grant money

Balderdash | 6:03 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

In my elementary class, some 40 percent of the students are "special needs", mainstreamed special ed, ADHD, 504, etc. A colleague, at the same grade level has less than 10 percent in his class. Why? Because I have a history of being able to help the
so-called slower kids. When someone comes up with a fair and workable way to account for this huge mitigating factor, then, and only then, will I consider supporting this federal extortion plot of Mr. Obama. Test scores are an often flawed way, and only one of a number of ways, to evaluate teacher effectiveness.

Hmm | 6:24 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

And where is Obama getting this money? Oh, I forgot, he has it in "his stash"... What a joke!

Please | 6:27 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Stop throwing money down the toilet!

We can't afford any more "bailouts" and "rescues" in this country, especially when it's tied to even more government control!

Stop the madness!

Comments continue below

Dumb Move | 7:07 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

So, if you work in a school where students come from a low SES, have low parental involvement or parents who are not that well educated and can't do basic schooling themselves, then your pay is going to be lower than working in a school where you have high parental support at home and in the school, higher SES which IS linked to higher test scores and make more money. Sounds like the vast majority of teachers then are going to move to those better performing schools furthering a gap between schools. Yep, that sounds like a winning idea to me, NOT. How about basing a bonus on the improvement that each child makes from the previous year?

C'mon | 7:08 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Where is he getting Grant money to offer them?
Is Grant putting up the funds?

There's been no news coverage of any debate over whether our country can afford to hand this money out....

The list of good/bad ideas he is singlehandedly handing out money to, is getting longer.

Socialism paid by conservatist | 7:20 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

So everybody has to pay for another program that only a few (those that want to be controlled by government) receives. Socialism isn't sustainable. However, If 40 states pay for the programs in 10 states I guess it just might work.

Ha! you guys always cry | 10:21 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

the blues when the feds spend money on any cause but the war. Where did George Bush get the money he spent us int debt with? You did not ask then. Now that Obama wants to spend it on our kids you cry up a storm. Get a life.

Just wrong! | 11:12 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Pres. Obama needs to get a clue. We teachers, in Title I schools, work our butts off trying to teach kids from disadvantaged backgrounds. I spend my recess time and after school time to help. Yet, because they came to my grade with lower than average scores, I am somehow to be a miracle worker and get them all up to speed? (Emphasis on the word "all".) I work very hard and use all kinds of teaching methods to reach my students. Most show progress at the end of the year. They have gone from a 1 to a 2 on CRTs and some from 2s to 3s or 4s). Paying me more only if all my kids pass is ludicrous, because it is not going to happen. When will the feds understand that an end of year test does not measure a teacher? My principal once told me that if all he looked at were the CRT results to measure a teacher's value, he would misdiagnose the teacher. Growth is what is important, not being able to guess correctly on a bubble test.

Honors Teacher | 11:39 a.m. Nov. 5, 2009

I've said it before and I'll say it again--thank goodness I teach honors/gifted and talented students with amazing test scores, supportive parents, and the drive to learn and succeed.

Ogden Teacher | 7:42 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Most performance based pay plans look at several factors to determine how well a teacher is doing the job. When test scores are mentioned they almost always are used to look at student improvement. I teach chemistry at Ogden High. Last year I changed the way I teach. My end of level pass rate went up by 42%. My classes scored 23% above state average. The pass rate of ethinic minority, and and economicly disadvantaged students doubled raising them to the state average. And as a thank you I recieved.... a pay cut. A bonus for good work would have been a lot nicer.

Anonymous | 7:43 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

have you people read the proposals?

Somebody | 2:23 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009

Better keep an eye on John and Susan Ross, They might try to steal it and then blame somebody else.

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