Merit pay won't be good for schools

An editorial in the newspaper came out in favor of creating a merit pay scale for teachers.  As I have posted before, this is an idea that would create havoc in schools.  

Why would established teachers help newbies, share successful techniques, open files if they knew they would be in competition.

The cooperation and support among teachers in a school would have to dissolve.

Depending on how the "merit" would be calculated and who would ultimately be in control, difficult children and/or parents would be avoided whenever possible. Transfer applications would fly, struggling schools deserted.

Teaching is not like a business where one can control the quality and quantity of raw materials.  It is not like other professions where one has choices about which clients to accept.  

Knowing Utah's legislature, there would never be adequate money to reward all teachers deemed eligible.  Principals would have to pick and choose: "You this year, but not next."

To top it off, if the teachers left out decided to leave, where are their replacements?  With continued low pay and lower respect, who wants to teach?

The editorial can be found at sltrib.com//ci_8844694