Submitted by Patrick Groff, Mar 5, 2007 05:41

There is a simplistic and fair manner in which to decide if a teacher deserves merit pay for outstanding performance. This is to note the scores of students on standardized academic achievement tests at the time they were under the guidance of a given teacher, as compared to when the same students were instructed by other teachers. Teacher union opposition to merit pay must be dismissed. No teacher should be required to accept extra wages if they offended their principles. It is predictable that few teachers would turn down such offers. Patrick Groff Professor of Education Emeritus San Diego State University

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