New Ohio Law Links Teacher Pay to Student Performance
349 views · Published 13 July 2012 · 2:33 · Indexed 18 October 2026
Channel: Dayton 24/7 Now · 2012 · News & Politics
DAYTON -- Student test scores alreeady determine a great deal in Ohio public schools but there's another thing to add to the list, teacher pay.Ohio Governor, John Kasich signed legislation that partially links a teacher's salary to student test scores in an effort to evaluate growth, and the law has many in the education community worried."This is whether or not they get paid, whether their contract is going to be renewed, and there are alot of factors that go into that and I just don't think it's something that will be a good idea" said Patricia Kuczak, Retired Teacher.Patrica Kuczak taught for 30 years, and when she learned how much a teacher gets paid will be partially linked to student test scores, she says the added stress will have a lasting impact throughout the education system."The additional testing is so much of an extreme pressure on the students and on the teachers and I really do worry this will affect students in the future" said Kuczak.Traditionally, teachers were evaluated on a number of criteria from the thoroughness of their lesson plans, to how interactive they are with their students. Some parents feel the added pressure on the teachers will trickle down to the kids."They have to learn so much already, but it's not fair if they don't pass the test that the teachers lose their pay" said Shannon Jent, Parent."In some school districts it's not really fair because some have more resources than others" said Mike Andres, Parent.Now Kuczak worries how this latest obstacle to Ohio public schools will affect the pool of quality teachers."There's alot of teachers who might leave the profession and I'd hate to see that because there are alot of dedicated teachers" said Kuczak.The law goes into effect 2013-2014 school year.Reporter: Kavontae Smalls
