Pay Them To Teach

Believe it or not, 47 percent of Washington state’s budget customarily escapes the Legislature’s close scrutiny. Why? Because it funds the public schools. Because teacher unions, until this year, were the most powerful interest group in the state. And, because the Constitution makes education the state’s “paramount” duty. Paramount in quality, or in wasted dollars?

According to a report by the Legislative Budget Committee, a key factor in teacher pay raises may be irrelevant to their classroom performance. Teachers can get raises through additional college credits and “in-service” training. Inexcusably, the state neglects to require that the classes taken have any bearing on either education or the teacher’s classroom duties.

Many teachers do take relevant classes. Some don’t. A look at some of the popular classes teachers take, such as union seminars, shows a need for reform. Mere credentialism helps the education racket but it doesn’t help education. Parents and taxpayers would appreciate it if teachers could be rewarded for better teaching.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = John Webster For the editorial board