Otte-Coleman - City Magazine

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| FEATURE Merit Pay Meets Roadblocks: Teachers Voice Concerns When it comes to merit pay for teachers, most teachers are skeptical about the concept for several reasons. Who will determine who gets merit pay? Will it be demoralizing to teachers who don’t get it? Will it be determined by test scores? Will politics enter in to the decisions? These are the central questions on teacher’s minds, and when asked to come up with the perfect merit pay plan, most just shrug their shoulders. One teacher, who prefers to remain anonymous, said he favors merit pay, but can’t trust the people who will make the decision. “Bill” said, “It can’t be based on test scores because there are too many variables among classes.” He adds that, if it were based on test scores, he would never teach another low-level class because these students don’t care about grades (for the most part). The tests in question are the result of the national No Child Left Behind (NCLB) program that requires a comprehensive statewide test each fall for students at each grade level. Schools with By Jan Schultz students deemed “not proficient” are subject to special programs to enhance and enrich teaching and bring students up to the required proficiency. Sonja Mahlum, third-grade teacher at Miller Elementary, agrees that merit pay shouldn’t be based on test scores. Her reasons also include the variability of students and classes. “Consider special needs classes,” she said. “While testing is adjusted for these levels, there is still too much of a discrepancy between regular and special needs classes.” Then there is the home environment aspect. “Students come from all manners of home environments and may not get support from their parents,” said Mahlum. Some students may also just be learning English. She said, “Foreign students entering Bismarck schools have just one year to learn the language before taking the test.” Mahlum’s school, Miller Elementary, was one of the schools that failed to reach NCLB requirements. “Next year we’ll be initiating a before and afterschool program that helps students prepare for the test,” said Mahlum. “I fear, though, that it may just be glorified babysitting if students are too tired from a long day in school.” The discussion continues in the next issue. 36 thecitymag.com
WEDDING GUIDE | November 2009 37
Page 1 and 2: NOVEMBER 2009 BISMARCK • MANDAN D
Page 3 and 4: Publisher’s Note Study and Work H
Page 5 and 6: GOOD READS | Still Alice A book rev
Page 7 and 8: “State tourism” CM: has had a l
Page 9 and 10: CM SMARTS | Beginning Conversation:
Page 11 and 12: “Most donors find the process pai
Page 13 and 14: Ingredients 2 pheasant breasts seas
Page 15 and 16: MANDAN ON THE Move | Mandan Offers
Page 17 and 18: homelessness in Bismarck-Mandan.”
Page 19 and 20: FEATURE Captain Freddy's is the new
Page 21 and 22: oot beer, to seasonal favorites lik
Page 23 and 24: Last month, we traveled with this g
Page 25 and 26: YP UPDATE Choices Today- Changes To
Page 27 and 28: WE Drive | Modern Day Hot Rodders-
Page 29 and 30: continued from page 27 employed as
Page 31 and 32: $150,000 for married couples, and $
Page 33 and 34: B E R M C A S H S P A I D E A L O T
Page 35: CITY WORKS | Reducing Winter Injury
Page 39 and 40: printable coupons in one location.
Page 41 and 42: Tuesday, November 24: Girls High Sc
Page 43 and 44: Last month, I gave a brief descript
Page 45 and 46: Unlocking Opportunities: This year,
Page 47 and 48: WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA | Are You a Re

Otte-Coleman - City Magazine

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