So I just read an article about Houston's plans to tie teachers' pay to test scores. And I have to say this is a really bad idea.
How you can hold teachers accountable for student's performance on tests - unlike a factory worker or an craftsman or a sales person: teaches have limited ability to assure that students learn. This would be similar to holding doctor's accountable for their patients health.
Maybe thats not such a bad idea... If I get sick, my doctor should not get a raise...
http://www.cnn.com/...
more below
Student test scores are so far out the control of a teacher that it is ridiculous to even think about a school district doing this.
Student performance on tests is dependent on a multitude of variables: the students ability to take a test, anxiety the students feel while testing, the students preparation, the students desire to do well on the test, the environment in which the test occurs, the mental and emotional state of the student, etc. etc. etc.
I would almost guarantee this is the result of the school board members reading some book or text on management by objectives or some other performance management technique, using a metaphor from some line business that is wholly different from education and attempting to force education to fit.
Teacher's pay should be based on their ability to teach - not a students ability to learn...