Comments on: If you pay them, they will come: teacher pay, incentives, and results http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/03/09/if-you-pay-them-they-will-come-teacher-pay-incentives-and-results/ for students and teachers of AP and IB Economics Sat, 22 Nov 2008 08:16:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Taryn http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/03/09/if-you-pay-them-they-will-come-teacher-pay-incentives-and-results/#comment-4603 Taryn Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:21:28 +0000 http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/03/09/if-you-pay-them-they-will-come-teacher-pay-incentives-and-results/#comment-4603 Wow. This question created a lot of attention. In many ways I agree and disagree with higher incentives for better teachers. First of all we know that as a fact higher incentives draw more skilled workers and in the case of teacher I think higher salaries would bring in many skilled teachers and many teachers who are experts on their subjects. One problem is that many times teachers with an expert in their subject may not be good teachers whatsover, just knowledgable people. Also, it is more difficult to compare basketball players and doctors with teachers. "They" have a public who pays to watch them/hire them while teachers are not paid by the community to work. Atleast in America we have taxes but public school is free (private school is not however and can destroy my argument). Where will the money come from? I don't think the American school system would be able to raise enough money for such high salaries for every teacher. But I guess we will just have to wait and see. Wow. This question created a lot of attention. In many ways I agree and disagree with higher incentives for better teachers. First of all we know that as a fact higher incentives draw more skilled workers and in the case of teacher I think higher salaries would bring in many skilled teachers and many teachers who are experts on their subjects. One problem is that many times teachers with an expert in their subject may not be good teachers whatsover, just knowledgable people. Also, it is more difficult to compare basketball players and doctors with teachers. “They” have a public who pays to watch them/hire them while teachers are not paid by the community to work. Atleast in America we have taxes but public school is free (private school is not however and can destroy my argument). Where will the money come from? I don’t think the American school system would be able to raise enough money for such high salaries for every teacher. But I guess we will just have to wait and see.

]]> By: jenniferchoi http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/03/09/if-you-pay-them-they-will-come-teacher-pay-incentives-and-results/#comment-4602 jenniferchoi Tue, 18 Mar 2008 22:39:07 +0000 http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/03/09/if-you-pay-them-they-will-come-teacher-pay-incentives-and-results/#comment-4602 Yes i also think that higher pay will bring more competition among teachers, and it will naturally bring better teachers than there were before. As the result, the schools will have teachers who are effective in teaching and will help increase the US public education level. Yes i also think that higher pay will bring more competition among teachers, and it will naturally bring better teachers than there were before. As the result, the schools will have teachers who are effective in teaching and will help increase the US public education level.

]]> By: Trevor Sun http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/03/09/if-you-pay-them-they-will-come-teacher-pay-incentives-and-results/#comment-4584 Trevor Sun Tue, 18 Mar 2008 13:28:44 +0000 http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/03/09/if-you-pay-them-they-will-come-teacher-pay-incentives-and-results/#comment-4584 I guess this strategy would work in creating incentives for teachers, but wouldn't it attach all of them instead of just the skilled ones? Plus, how do you know if a teacher is effective or not? They must have some kind of filtering process but still it might be biased against some. I guess this strategy would work in creating incentives for teachers, but wouldn’t it attach all of them instead of just the skilled ones? Plus, how do you know if a teacher is effective or not? They must have some kind of filtering process but still it might be biased against some.

]]> By: caleb http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/03/09/if-you-pay-them-they-will-come-teacher-pay-incentives-and-results/#comment-4576 caleb Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:24:07 +0000 http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/03/09/if-you-pay-them-they-will-come-teacher-pay-incentives-and-results/#comment-4576 This is the right strategy. Higher pay invites more competition amongst teachers. It doesn't matter if a teacher enjoys teaching or not, if s/he is effective, then thats all that matters. The end result is what is being sought after here. This is the right strategy. Higher pay invites more competition amongst teachers. It doesn’t matter if a teacher enjoys teaching or not, if s/he is effective, then thats all that matters. The end result is what is being sought after here.

]]> By: Jeff Ye http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/03/09/if-you-pay-them-they-will-come-teacher-pay-incentives-and-results/#comment-4564 Jeff Ye Tue, 18 Mar 2008 10:55:43 +0000 http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/03/09/if-you-pay-them-they-will-come-teacher-pay-incentives-and-results/#comment-4564 I think this attempt is a worthy one. If all teachers, skilled and unskilled, are paid the same, then there is obviously no incentive to get better. Only by seperating the best from everyone else will other teachers strive to be all that they can be. The salary that is offered by this school is very unique, in that it is much higher than what most teachers earn. I can imagine that the best teachers are finally given a chance to be rewarded for their hard work, devotion, and skill. I think this attempt is a worthy one. If all teachers, skilled and unskilled, are paid the same, then there is obviously no incentive to get better. Only by seperating the best from everyone else will other teachers strive to be all that they can be. The salary that is offered by this school is very unique, in that it is much higher than what most teachers earn. I can imagine that the best teachers are finally given a chance to be rewarded for their hard work, devotion, and skill.

]]> By: Jo Lo http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/03/09/if-you-pay-them-they-will-come-teacher-pay-incentives-and-results/#comment-4553 Jo Lo Tue, 18 Mar 2008 08:42:12 +0000 http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/03/09/if-you-pay-them-they-will-come-teacher-pay-incentives-and-results/#comment-4553 I think paying teachers more money will help draw out the good ones and keep them in the long run. Part of the reason why many students in America fall behind their peers in other countries in core subjects such as math and science is because of the lack of teachers who know their material and want to help the students learn. Many times teachers won't care if the students are actually learning, they're just there to get through the day and pick up their paycheck. If schools pay teachers based on their ability to teach, then I think schools will have a much easier time of retaining the best. I think paying teachers more money will help draw out the good ones and keep them in the long run. Part of the reason why many students in America fall behind their peers in other countries in core subjects such as math and science is because of the lack of teachers who know their material and want to help the students learn. Many times teachers won’t care if the students are actually learning, they’re just there to get through the day and pick up their paycheck. If schools pay teachers based on their ability to teach, then I think schools will have a much easier time of retaining the best.

]]> By: Rebecca Sung http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/03/09/if-you-pay-them-they-will-come-teacher-pay-incentives-and-results/#comment-4552 Rebecca Sung Tue, 18 Mar 2008 08:41:58 +0000 http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/03/09/if-you-pay-them-they-will-come-teacher-pay-incentives-and-results/#comment-4552 I agree with Kristie; if teachers were extrinsically motivated to teach students, once the money is gone, they'll probably teach as well then. Even though a higher salary does provide an incentive for teachers, money does not replace a teacher who is passionate about teaching and most importantly, what they are teaching. I think most of the time, the teachers who actually WANT to teach and educate students are better educators than those who do not care. I agree with Kristie; if teachers were extrinsically motivated to teach students, once the money is gone, they’ll probably teach as well then. Even though a higher salary does provide an incentive for teachers, money does not replace a teacher who is passionate about teaching and most importantly, what they are teaching. I think most of the time, the teachers who actually WANT to teach and educate students are better educators than those who do not care.

]]> By: Kristie Chung http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/03/09/if-you-pay-them-they-will-come-teacher-pay-incentives-and-results/#comment-4497 Kristie Chung Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:34:08 +0000 http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/03/09/if-you-pay-them-they-will-come-teacher-pay-incentives-and-results/#comment-4497 I think paying teachers more money to teach will not make them better teachers. In order for teachers to be good at teaching, and be able to motivate their students, they have to teach for intrinsic reasons and not for extrinsic reasons aka money. Although higher salaries would attract the teachers to teach at that school, it is not certain that those teachers are good. Teachers are essential to a student's education, and to improve the level of education in America, the quality of teachers will need to improve. Therefore in that aspect, Mr. Vanderhoek is right. I think paying teachers more money to teach will not make them better teachers. In order for teachers to be good at teaching, and be able to motivate their students, they have to teach for intrinsic reasons and not for extrinsic reasons aka money. Although higher salaries would attract the teachers to teach at that school, it is not certain that those teachers are good. Teachers are essential to a student’s education, and to improve the level of education in America, the quality of teachers will need to improve. Therefore in that aspect, Mr. Vanderhoek is right.

]]> By: Kristie Chung http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/03/09/if-you-pay-them-they-will-come-teacher-pay-incentives-and-results/#comment-4493 Kristie Chung Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:15:25 +0000 http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/03/09/if-you-pay-them-they-will-come-teacher-pay-incentives-and-results/#comment-4493 I think paying teachers more money to teach will not make them better teachers. In order for teachers to be good at teaching, and be able to motivate their students, they have to teach for intrinsic reasons, and not for extrinsic reasons aka money. Although higher salaries would attract the teachers to teach at that school, it is not certain that those teachers are good. Teachers are essential to a student's education, and to improve the level of education in America, the quality of teachers will need to improve. Therefore in that aspect, Mr. Vanderhoek has got it right. I think paying teachers more money to teach will not make them better teachers. In order for teachers to be good at teaching, and be able to motivate their students, they have to teach for intrinsic reasons, and not for extrinsic reasons aka money. Although higher salaries would attract the teachers to teach at that school, it is not certain that those teachers are good. Teachers are essential to a student’s education, and to improve the level of education in America, the quality of teachers will need to improve. Therefore in that aspect, Mr. Vanderhoek has got it right.

]]> By: claire425 http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/03/09/if-you-pay-them-they-will-come-teacher-pay-incentives-and-results/#comment-4487 claire425 Sun, 16 Mar 2008 17:12:25 +0000 http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/03/09/if-you-pay-them-they-will-come-teacher-pay-incentives-and-results/#comment-4487 After the school chooses the "appropriate" teachers after raising their salaries, the school should make a policy to fire teachers when they teach poorly. Then, due to the raise in income, teachers who are highly motivated would be in school, and the school will be in a better situation. After the school chooses the “appropriate” teachers after raising their salaries, the school should make a policy to fire teachers when they teach poorly. Then, due to the raise in income, teachers who are highly motivated would be in school, and the school will be in a better situation.

]]> By: judychen http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/03/09/if-you-pay-them-they-will-come-teacher-pay-incentives-and-results/#comment-4480 judychen Sun, 16 Mar 2008 13:55:15 +0000 http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/03/09/if-you-pay-them-they-will-come-teacher-pay-incentives-and-results/#comment-4480 I think money will not attract the good teachers but teacher who want high salaries. Because you cannot judge if he/she is a good teacher only by the interview. I think the main way to really make a change in America's education is to motivate students to study, and train teachers when they are at universities. Teacher who are receving high salaries does not mean he/she is a good teacher. I think money will not attract the good teachers but teacher who want high salaries. Because you cannot judge if he/she is a good teacher only by the interview. I think the main way to really make a change in America’s education is to motivate students to study, and train teachers when they are at universities. Teacher who are receving high salaries does not mean he/she is a good teacher.

]]> By: T. Sun http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/03/09/if-you-pay-them-they-will-come-teacher-pay-incentives-and-results/#comment-4477 T. Sun Sun, 16 Mar 2008 09:13:26 +0000 http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/03/09/if-you-pay-them-they-will-come-teacher-pay-incentives-and-results/#comment-4477 I find that the introduction of technology into our school is mostly detrimental. First of all, I feel that the helpful aspects of technology aren't being realized because of the incorrect approach. I feel that stuff like each student keeping their own blogs or whatever only retards learning. However, there are some great examples of technology that helps learning, like for example the econ wiki. Rarely do I find technological stuff in our school to be more beneficial than detrimental. I find that the introduction of technology into our school is mostly detrimental. First of all, I feel that the helpful aspects of technology aren’t being realized because of the incorrect approach. I feel that stuff like each student keeping their own blogs or whatever only retards learning.

However, there are some great examples of technology that helps learning, like for example the econ wiki. Rarely do I find technological stuff in our school to be more beneficial than detrimental.

]]> By: kevinchiu http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/03/09/if-you-pay-them-they-will-come-teacher-pay-incentives-and-results/#comment-4474 kevinchiu Sun, 16 Mar 2008 07:19:40 +0000 http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/03/09/if-you-pay-them-they-will-come-teacher-pay-incentives-and-results/#comment-4474 That's an interesting experiment.. Sure, it'll attract more and more people into the field of teaching, but does that mean an immediate supply of good teachers, which is pretty much different for everyone, will suddenly rise and be available? I think increasing the wage will give an incentive for people to become teachers, as opposed to having a surplus of great teachers appear out of nowhere and go teach. Maybe this school will attract better teachers, but I mean if they're great teachers, I'm sure they're teaching somewhere; thus, the school's basically taking other teachers away from other schools.. It's very much like how the supply of labor doesn't rise, at full employment, because of an increase in wage; the higher wage merely attracts other workers from other firms in the same industry. Therefore, I don't think this is an effective method to be employed on a national scale. However, I do think that this might bring this particular school better teachers for the reasons mentioned above. That’s an interesting experiment.. Sure, it’ll attract more and more people into the field of teaching, but does that mean an immediate supply of good teachers, which is pretty much different for everyone, will suddenly rise and be available? I think increasing the wage will give an incentive for people to become teachers, as opposed to having a surplus of great teachers appear out of nowhere and go teach. Maybe this school will attract better teachers, but I mean if they’re great teachers, I’m sure they’re teaching somewhere; thus, the school’s basically taking other teachers away from other schools.. It’s very much like how the supply of labor doesn’t rise, at full employment, because of an increase in wage; the higher wage merely attracts other workers from other firms in the same industry. Therefore, I don’t think this is an effective method to be employed on a national scale. However, I do think that this might bring this particular school better teachers for the reasons mentioned above.

]]> By: serenatu http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/03/09/if-you-pay-them-they-will-come-teacher-pay-incentives-and-results/#comment-4473 serenatu Sun, 16 Mar 2008 06:45:21 +0000 http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/03/09/if-you-pay-them-they-will-come-teacher-pay-incentives-and-results/#comment-4473 I agree with Mr. Vanderhoek. What's really needed to help student succeed in schools isn't computers, or those new advanced technologies. An excellent teacher is way more important, and useful than new technology. New laptops and smart boards, even though they sound nice, and perfect, but what are the use of those tools for students? Teachers can give students life-experiences, and stuff that is way more important that looking at the power point and just copying everything down. I think teachers should be paid accordingly to their ability, not their ages. I agree with Mr. Vanderhoek. What’s really needed to help student succeed in schools isn’t computers, or those new advanced technologies. An excellent teacher is way more important, and useful than new technology. New laptops and smart boards, even though they sound nice, and perfect, but what are the use of those tools for students? Teachers can give students life-experiences, and stuff that is way more important that looking at the power point and just copying everything down. I think teachers should be paid accordingly to their ability, not their ages.

]]> By: Mond http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/03/09/if-you-pay-them-they-will-come-teacher-pay-incentives-and-results/#comment-4472 Mond Sun, 16 Mar 2008 04:28:54 +0000 http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/03/09/if-you-pay-them-they-will-come-teacher-pay-incentives-and-results/#comment-4472 Technology is nothing more than a tool used to enhance learning. The most important factor is still the quality of the teachers. Does a few laptops and projectors really make such a difference? I believe not. I find it unfair that all teachers are paid the same salary even though some teachers are simply better at their jobs than others. I agree with Shana, motivation does play a huge role in learning. Some people simply refuse to learn and teachers cannot really do much about that. Technology is nothing more than a tool used to enhance learning. The most important factor is still the quality of the teachers. Does a few laptops and projectors really make such a difference? I believe not. I find it unfair that all teachers are paid the same salary even though some teachers are simply better at their jobs than others.
I agree with Shana, motivation does play a huge role in learning. Some people simply refuse to learn and teachers cannot really do much about that.

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