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We need a Bloomberg
NY mayor revamped public education system by linking teacher salaries to performance
Good news: The United Federation of Teachers overwhelmingly approved the proposal to link teacher salaries to school performance. Schools where students show significant improvement and parents express their satisfaction over the quality of teachers will receive an additional budget of $3,000 per
| Quality First |
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| It’s all about the teachers / Yaron London |
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International study shows quality of teachers more important than their salary |
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teacher.
The bonuses will be divided among teachers based on criteria to be jointly decided on by principals, inspectors, and teacher committees. In addition, teachers will enjoy the unprecedented benefit of full retirement at the age of 55, as long as they have 25 years of experience.
The United Federation of Teachers’ president explained his union’s agreement for performance-based salaries by the need to boost achievements and excellence in the public education system. He also noted that teachers received salary raises totaling 43 percent in the past five years.
Good needs indeed. Sadly, it didn’t happen here in Israel. This is the story of an agreement that was just finalized between United Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
When Bloomberg first won the NY mayoral elections in 2002 he promised to improve and upgrade the public school system. To that end, he asked attorney Joel Klein to serve as chancellor of the New York City Department of Education. Dr. Klein, who was the prosecutor in the Clinton Administration’s antitrust case against Microsoft, agreed to come to the aid of his city of residence and work for much less than what he was offered in the private sector.
Klein, Bloomberg and Weingarten led a reform premised on linking the salary of teachers to school performance and integrating the notion of “charter schools,” that is, independent public schools run by autonomous charter boards and recognized by education inspectors as long as they meet several criteria, such as free education and a common core program. A school that would fail to show achievements would see its budget cut and may eventually be shut down.
The notion of charter schools gradually penetrated the entire American education system. Today, about 3,500 such schools operate in the US, including about 60 in New York, most of them in poor areas. They receive donations from corporations and funds, their achievements are amazing, and they project on schools that have not yet undergone such organizational change. Soon, all schools will undergo this change.
The plan led by Bloomberg, Klein, and Weingarten was about turning all public schools in New York into educational institutions managed by public organizations – if not by law than at least in practice. Upon the reform’s completion, the salaries of teachers at city public schools may rise above $7,000 per month, should they invest the required effort. Meanwhile, principals of schools that show improvement may see their salary reach $11,000 per month – but they will be fired if they don’t show results.
Two clear lessons can be drawn from New York’s educational turnaround. Firstly, the importance of leadership. This reform was led by Mayor Bloomberg and Chancellor Klein, two charismatic figures who joined forces. Other bureaucratic elements were pushed asides. Secondly, the reform’s success depended on a joint effort with the Teachers Federation. When Bloomberg’s intention to link teacher salaries to performance first made news, teachers responded with a great outcry. Today, upon the negotiations’ completion, the agreement is characterized as a victory for all parties.
It’s true that in America there is also a private education system, particularly when it comes to high schools, which creates intolerable gaps. However, the more public education, including charter schools,
improves and becomes more competitive and achievement-oriented, the weaker the temptation would be to send children to expensive but withered private schools.
Michael Bloomberg already announced that if and when he will run as an independent candidate for the US presidency he will place education at the top of his agenda. And what’s happening around here? No news. The teachers’ strike continues while we wait for our own Michael Bloomberg.
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