[ejb999]

>>plus a substantial increment for every student in their class that meets grade level expectations at the end of the school year

Don't be surprised when all of a sudden almost every student magically 'meets grade level expectations' and teachers get their large bonuses, and yet many of the students can't actually read when they graduate. Unfortunately, this is just an incentive to inflate grades and fudge results to make them look better.

[WalterBright]

Naturally, the teacher won't be in charge of evaluating their own students.

[ejb999]

But there is no real firewall between teachers and administrators - most administrators are former teachers - it's a pretty cozy club in most schools.

I am not opposed to the idea in theory, but don't see any way to honestly make it work. Also fairly certain almost every teachers union will oppose it - and I say that as someone who has the experience of negotiating teacher's union contracts from the other side of the table.

[WalterBright]

Do what other organizations do. Have a separate organization to the evaluations.

> Also fairly certain almost every teachers union will oppose it

Of course they will. Those unions are absolutely, irrevocably committed to the idea that teacher merit is totally determined by length of service and having a master's degree.

[idontpost]

And of course the people who are won't have any conflicts of interest of their own.

[WalterBright]

There are well known techniques to deal with this. It's hardly a new problem.