Obama's Sister Souljah?

scott — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 17:18:19 GMT

dodd is desperate. go obama!

Obama's Sister Souljah?

Dee of VA — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 17:42:41 GMT

Unless we are going to revamp the entire educational system and start assigning teachers to where they are most needed rather than allowing them to choose the schools where they want to work, we have to start offering monetary incentives to the most qualified teachers, especially in the math and science fields, to teach at disadvantaged schools. The old formulas aren't working! We need a President that's willing to challenge the status quo and not be beholden to powerful special interests groups, including the teachers' unions. Hell, they might be pleasantly surprised...a win/win/win scenario for all--unions, teachers and most importantly the kids.

Obama's Sister Souljah?

Olivia — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 17:47:58 GMT

Obama at the NEA is yesterday's news. How about bringing up Obama's appearance at the Essence Music Festival last night in New Orleans? Katrina recovery is a valid national issue that needs to be addressed and there needs to be more of a focus on where ALL candidates stand and what they're saying about it. Hillary is also scheduled to speak at the abovementioned festival--I hope you'll be covering what she has to say.

Obama's Sister Souljah?

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 17:48:42 GMT

From the blog: "Rob Weil... said, “I think that using the term ‘merit pay’ is, I would hope that when he learns the issue a little bit more he might refrain from using that."

So in other words "merit pay" is bad but "professional compensation" is okay? And they mean the same thing? Sheesh, maybe I'm missing something but that seems like the kind of nonsense that is, in part, attracting people to the candidate in question to begin with. I think there's a segment out here that's tired of candidates who talk around things in a way designed to say nothing and offend no one. In other words, if we wanted another panderer, there's plenty to choose from.

Obama's Sister Souljah?

Joe Justice — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 17:50:17 GMT

dodd is proud of no child left behind?

he obviously doesn't even know that his Reform Act measures school performace using a deformed ruler. no one likes this Act. especially no true Democrat.

pathetic.

Obama's Sister Souljah?

CJ — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 18:01:42 GMT

Dinosaur Dodd...like the man, but the Democrats are full of 'old heads' who refuse to adopt new ideas where past ideas have obviously failed to work before. Doing more of the same but more just isn't going to cut it.

Obama's Sister Souljah?

Yiannis, Baltimore, MD — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 18:04:26 GMT

Obama seems to be going against the democratic flow and not pander in many instances: Iraq war at 2002, Fuel efficiency at Detroit, homophobia and responsibility in the black community, tackling the root of the problem in New Orleans and now talking about merit pay to teachers.

While he's certainly not a typical politician he is wrong on merit pay. This sort of approach works in the adult community but education is sensitive and should not just create consumers, but humans.

Obama's Sister Souljah?

Florida Fox — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 18:05:26 GMT

We have a form of merit pay in Florida, funded by the Florida Lottery. If a school excels, the teachers are awarded a sum and can us it as they see fit. They usually split it among themselves. This is an annual award and is tied to performance. How cool is that!!

Obama's Sister Souljah?

stix66 illinois — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 18:27:50 GMT

my mother was a jr high school teacher and her compensation was based on her education. even tho' she went back to school to get her masters in ed (AFTER she had raised a family) she continued to go to school to keep up with the always changing educational needs and offer the best she had to her kids. subsequently she was named teacher of the year more than once; she contiuned to pay for her schooling up until her retirment, even tho' her annual salary ie: "merit pay" didn't come close to compensating her. her interest was always the children.

Obama's Sister Souljah?

Olivia — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 18:30:42 GMT

Florida Fox--That is a cool idea. They should give it a try in Illinois.

Obama's Sister Souljah?

Mike Sloan, NY, NY — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 18:40:31 GMT

I was at the NEA conference to see Obama speak, and he literally spoke about merit pay for about 2 minutes of his 30 minutes speaking to the conference. Yet another example of our soundbite media pigeon-holing a candidate. (Also, he addressed the points Dodd brought up, by saying that the merit pay he is in favor of would be set up much differently than the merit pay that gives teachers' unions the willies)

Obama's Sister Souljah?

Sierra, San Francisco — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 19:10:49 GMT

Florida Fox: Not very cool ...... The schools that excel are typically in the rich districts. So, giving extra funds to schools that excel means the rich get richer. What does Florida do (if anything) to prevent this from ahppening ? What happens to low performing schools ? Are poor kids set adrift ?Frankly, Florida is not known for leadership in education.

Obama's Sister Souljah?

Florida Fox — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 19:45:40 GMT

One of the top ranking schools in the US is in the worst area of Tampa and most of the children qualify for free meals. I have teacher friends who have received the money that I described and they do not teach in rich districts. Schools are graded on the performance of their students and not on the area they happen to occupy. High performance does not necessarily mean rich. I have a family member who is running for school board in an affluent area of Pennsylvania. That school is failing scholastically even though there are large sums of money being spent. In that case, we are finding that the district is badly mismanaged. You should look into your local school situation. It may surprise you. The average citizen has no idea how their particular school system is operated and will not take the time to find out.

Obama's Sister Souljah?

JIrby, Colorado — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 20:05:12 GMT

Domenico - nice catch on the word "principle". I hope you will also be on the lookout for "different than", "very unique" and other popular solecisms, some of which, in my opinion, should merit lethal injection, or at least a [sic!!!???].

Obama's Sister Souljah?

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 20:19:06 GMT

Question - does everyone agree that an incentive system would be good, if we could find a way to implement it fairly?

Obama's Sister Souljah?

mike, NY, NY — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 20:19:23 GMT

The type of merit pay Obama advocates would measure improvement, not just overall scores (which would favor richer schools). Under his plan, students would be tested to establish a base score, and then tested later to measure improvement. This is one way he would fix some of the problems associated with merit pay. Fret not though, in the coming months he will be unveiling a detailed education platform. cheers

Obama's Sister Souljah?

Florida Fox — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 20:44:08 GMT

Here's the way it's done in Florida (briefly).

Under Florida's "A-plus Plan," schools receive A to F grades, based on student results on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. All students in grades 3 through 10 take the mathematics and reading portions of the test. Schools earn letter grades based on overall student performance and the level of improvements seen among the lowest achieving students.

Florida's top performing and greatly improved schools can earn cash rewards under the school accountability plan. Those with multiple failing marks may be required to provide students with vouchers to attend a private school.

Obama's Sister Souljah?

J. Smith, Portland, OR — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 22:20:59 GMT

Mike Sloan, thank you for giving us an unpigeon-holed perspective of Obama's NEA speech. Something else to consider about Obama's position is that he understands that throughout our history, education has been at the heart of a bargain this nation makes with its citizens: if you work hard and take responsibility, you'll have a chance for a better life.

Parents have the primary responsibility for instilling an ethic of hard work and educational achievement in their children. But parents rightly expect their government, through the public schools, to serve as full partners in the educational process -just as it has for earlier generations of Americans.
And, good teachers are an essential partner in the educational process.

This can mean, among other things, experienced, well-trained, well-paid teachers in non-overcrowded classrooms, accountability from teachers for their performance, consistent support from the educational bureaucracy, and pairing up new teachers with master teachers for inclusivity.

Senator Obama understands that by his working together with teacher's unions, states, school districts, and parents, the current problems are solvable. He also understands that the full benefit of America's bargain with its citizens can be realized by its youngest - our children - working hard, taking responsibility, and having a chance for a better life.

America's citizens would be well-served by Senator Obama as President in '08.

Obama's Sister Souljah?

Giancarlo, Miami — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 12:29:54 GMT

With all due respect, isn't Florida one of the worse ranked states in the country in terms of education? What the heck has the FCAT accomplished in Florida? Absolutely nothing.

Obama's Sister Souljah?

BIG franky, Buffalo, NY — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 12:31:15 GMT

who cares? teachers are idiots!

Obama's Sister Souljah?

Desmond — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 19:14:57 GMT

I have a child that is a teacher.My child understood that the pay would be on the low side for a college educated person. Now, seven years later, my child has received a Master's degree. Lots of loans to be paid off, but my child finds the job well worth it.I think teachers are classified in one of the most underrated careers in this country. And now many states want to reward them.salary wise, on how bright the children are that are placed in their care every day. It's an idea that is as senseless as the mandated but not funded No Child Left Behind Act.and before I get tagged for it, yes, I think the Democrats as well as the Republicans and the President are fully to blame for that act.It does not work well for the teachers who have to deal with on a daily basis.

Obama's Sister Souljah?

Desmond — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 20:48:58 GMT

Just remember, the more you make children take standardized tests and hold their teachers accountable for the results, the more you stifle the imagination of the child and the teacher. A '"Failure of Imagination" is a phrase used by the 9/11 commission to explain what happened on that day.

Obama's Sister Souljah?

Dorothy — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 13:09:49 GMT

"Hey, Teacher, leave us kids alone!....All in all, you're just another brick in the wall!...."--Pink Floyd

Obama's Sister Souljah?

Ollie frenchburg ky — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 14:02:39 GMT

Yes teachers are very important in that they play a big roll in our childrens lives. They may not get the respect that they deserve. But lets keep in mind that, at least in my area, they get every single holiday off. They get a week off for spring break and a little more than a week for Christmas break. They get some kind of a teacher's in house or service day off. They get the entire summer off. And in my school district every single teacher has a full time teachers aid to help in class and for grading papers. They have very good hours. Five days a week 7:00 to 3:00. Oh and also in high school they only teach five periods, because each gets a free period for break.