Submitted by Nat Trayger, Aug 20, 2007 10:26

Trying to implement merit pay for teachers is as ridiculous as paying cops on the upper east side more because the crime rate is less in their neighborhood than in Harlem. Who would decide? If is is left to administrators than cronyism and bribery would be a factor just like it is in all other sectors of public service. If is is based on test scores then we will see new scandals.

One reason many kids do not learn as well as we want them to is that so many black kids grow up in mom-only homes and when the school cracks down on their misbehavior cries of racism echo down the corridors. This allows the whole system of discipline and learning to shatter and the lack of discipline and learning has spread throughout the larger society.

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