Don't Let Facts Stop You!

If you feel in your gut that a "reform" works, ignore the facts and go ahead with it!

Paying teachers bonuses to improve student test scores may not work after all, according to a new study researchers say is the first scientifically rigorous test of merit pay.

Vanderbilt University researchers studied a program in Nashville that offered bonuses of $5,000 to $15,000 to middle school math teachers if their students scored higher than expected on a statewide exam, according to a report released today.

After three years, the program proved to be a bust, the study said. Except for some temporary gains, students did not progress any faster in classrooms where teachers were offered bonuses.

Actually, there are other studies that found merit pay doesn't work. You'd think that the evidence would at least compel the 'formers to move with caution. But crusaders don't roll with no logic:

Gov. Chris Christie is expected to propose a statewide performance pay program for New Jersey teachers next week. Today, the governor’s spokesman questioned whether the Vanderbilt study would have any impact.

"The study has limitations, which its authors acknowledged," said Michael Drewniak, Christie’s spokesman. "It does not support any sweeping conclusions."

Yeah, see, academic studies ALWAYS state there are limitations. It's called the scientific method, dude.

I just hope Drewniak doesn't have any food allergies. "Gee, the last time I ate shellfish, I broke out in hives. But that doesn't support any sweeping conclusions. Instead of getting a test, I'm gonna hit the Red Lobster and stuff myself tonight!"

And, of course, articles like this must ALWAYS include a comment from the wingnut-welfare contingent:

Frederick M. Hess, director of education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C., said he did not believe the study had much value and said he was concerned it would only confuse the issue.

"The fact that that teachers don’t respond to cash bonuses like rats do to food pellets does nothing to diminish my confidence that it’s good for schooling if teacher pay better reflects the contributions that teachers make," Hess said. "Serious proponents of merit pay believe the point is not any kind of short-term test score bump but making the profession more attractive to talented candidates."

Yet you're going to make the profession more attractive by basing merit pay on those very same short-term test bumps. Makes sense...

AEI "Scholars" Conference