A message from
President Michael MacGregor regarding
"Race to the Top"
The HVEA has learned that many school districts in Michigan are approaching local associations, asking them to open discussions on how they can incorporate “Race to the Top” or RTTP for short into the collective bargaining agreements.
Components of RTTP include provisions to turn around failing schools, expanding charter schools, and linking teacher pay to test scores and changing teacher tenure rules.
Briefly, merit pay is fraught with pitfalls that are too numerous to mention here. Huron Valley does not have failing schools and we have no control over charter academies. On teacher tenure, the Huron Valley Education Association wants high quality instructors and professionals working with all our students. The HVEA has already initiated and supported changes in the teacher evaluation procedures which have considerably raise the bar.
The HVEA is in the process of selecting its bargaining team. We will carefully listen and respond to all legitimate requests from the district.
Rest assured that we will not make permanent changes in our agreement for the chance to receive one time money.
We remain skeptical of the underlying motivation of our Federal and State Governments.
Nice sounding words like “Race to the Top” are more than likely grounded in the same theories as “No Child Left Behind”.
Be Careful and Be Cautious!
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