Every week, 2,000 - 3,000 Second District residents write to me about the issues pending before Congress, and I work hard to respond to each person as promptly and thoughtfully as possible.  On this "Letter of the Week" blog, I highlight constituent letters that are of general interest.  If you'd like to share your own views, please feel free to e-mail me at any time!

"I strongly urge you to oppose inclusion in legislation to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of federal programs -- voluntary or not -- that mandate basing teacher pay on student test scores.  Test scores alone do not measure the value of any teacher. It is also important to look how test scores are tabulated within the school system. Many times, the scores are not indicative of individual progress and often scores that are used for comparing progress of students are based on the class as a group and do not reflect the mobility of the students within the group." -- Nancy

Dear Nancy,

Thank you for contacting me regarding performance pay for teachers.  As your representative, I need your input to best serve the residents of the Second District of Kansas.

Recently, there have been discussions about including performance pay in the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).  Teachers would either receive financial rewards or have their pay based on their students’ test scores.  I do not think it is fair to base compensation on criteria that have so many outside variables.

I understand the benefits of performance pay.  While I do not support current proposals, I believe we have the same values – we want the best level of education for our children, and we recognize that teaching is an underpaid and too often underappreciated profession.  Unfortunately, performance pay doesn’t create a permanent solution to the core problem – our teachers just aren’t being paid enough.

This is not to say that all financial incentives are a bad idea.  While those that are tied to increased test scores might not be the right answer at the moment, there are other options we could explore:

• Incentives for teachers who work in underserved or hard-to-staff areas, like our rural communities. 
• Increased pay for teachers who earn additional credentials, degrees or certifications and financial assistance for teachers who are in the process of obtaining them.
• Extra compensation for teachers who work extra hours or assist in extra-curricular academic activities.

I am also a co-sponsor of legislation that would offer a tax deduction of up to $400 for teachers who use their own money to pay for school supplies.  The Teacher Tax Relief Act, H.R. 549 would provide well deserved help to our nation’s educators who go above and beyond their professional duties. 

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me about this important issue.  Addressing the challenges in our education system is a national imperative.  As a mother from the Second District whose students attended public schools, I understand the importance of improving education and supporting all students and teachers in Kansas.  While many believe that performance pay is the answer, I’m not convinced that is the case.  Thank you again for letting me share my views on this important topic.  Please don’t hesitate to let me hear from you in the future.

Sincerely,

Nancy Boyda
Member of Congress