Georgians React to Pay for Performance Legislation
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Updated: 5:13 PM Feb 9, 2010
Georgians React to Pay for Performance Legislation
New legislation to pay teachers based on their performance is being decided by lawmakers.
Posted: 4:56 PM Feb 9, 2010
Reporter: Gabrielle Sarann
Email Address: gabrielle.sarann@wctv.tv
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Governor Sonny Perdue is proposing that teachers be paid based on student improvement and peer and faculty reviews.

Traditionally, teachers are compensated according to seniority and whether they have advanced degrees.

Governor Perdue says this move would make Georgia eligible for up to $400 million dollars in grants from the Obama Administration's "Race to the Top" application.

Georgia residents say they're mixed about this.

"It could help the teachers help the students better," said Earnestine Miller, who lives in Hahira, and believes this bill should pass. "And it'll motivate the students and help the teachers' performance."

Nancy Reese, of Valdosta, feels differently.
"It's not a popularity contest. And that's what Perdue will reduce it to. Ya know, 'if I like the teacher, I'll make the good grades. If I don't like the teacher, let's send him away.'"

If it passes both the state house and senate, it would go into effect in 2013.

And teachers hired before then could decide whether they want to opt into the system.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Get a clue! Location: Atlanta on Feb 22, 2010 at 10:14 PM

Teachers do not get paid enough for educating the youth. Most teachers work 60 to 80 hours a week and our job does not end when we leave school. We have to go home and plan for the next day. Hey! Wait! Maybe we should pay teachers more money and more people would join the profession that are great teachers. I will leave the profession if the current bill passes and I am a successful teacher. The bill will take local control from the schools if you read it carefully and you peers will be allowed to grade your performance. I would have been fired along time ago because I step on peoples toes when it is in the best interest of the child.
Posted by: About Time on Feb 9, 2010 at 06:13 PM

I think this is a good idea. The current system is set up so no waves are made - bad or mediocre teachers never get fired and really good teachers get paid the same as bad ones. There do need to be some safegaurds built in so the students who just don't care about their grades and futures don't reflect badly on a good teacher who is really trying to help them. However, hopefully this will also inspire teachers to reach these students and turn them around. Sonny is finally doing something right!!
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