Putting students last by rejecting performance pay

In Australia, as in the United States, a radical change in the compensation system for teachers is an idea well worth seriously exploring.

If the Commonwealth can’t get state and territory ministers on board a pilot program, perhaps Ms Bishop needs to go over the heads of the premiers and state education bureaucracies by appealing directly to teachers. For such courage, she’ll certainly win the hearts and minds of parents nationwide. And a successful trial will no doubt inject some pride into the veins of those public school teachers who long to make a significant difference in the lives of their students.

Last week, at COAG, we saw the Rudd tail brilliantly wagging the eight-limbed state and territory dog. Without a second thought, the states and territories rejected outright a pay-for-performance scheme. Shame.

It seems that the states and territories don’t want to do right by school students, if that means giving the Prime Minister a policy win several months out from an election. The spirit of former Senator Graham Richardson, is alive and well: do whatever it takes to (help Kevin Rudd) win. And pay any price.

Even if that price is the relentless dumbing down of those charged with educating of our young.