Higher Student Test Scores Makes Teachers Happy

My summer of 1991 will always be memorable.  My family and I had moved back from living in Hacienda Heights, California after my father was laid off from his employment.  Luckily my parents never sold their house.  My sister, brother, and I all went out into the real world seeking jobs.  Successful and grateful, we all got our very first jobs each at different places.  I was able to work at a Presbyterian church in the nursery department.  So, there I was only 13 years old working in a daycare, hearing children from the ages of 0-5 years of age yell, cry, throw toys, etc.  I quickly realized what I wanted to be when I grew up.  In the Huffington Post, I found a blog that covered a topic I have been hearing about in my education courses.  States are trying to push forward with merit pay for teachers based on their students performance.  As a future teacher, I truly feel that there should be some sort of an incentive for a student's performance.  Right now, teachers get a higher salary based on their level of degree or the length of time they have been teaching.  The blog, "Florida, Idaho Push For Merit Pay, Could Set National Precedent For Teachers Pay," demonstrates the possibility of the Senate passing this education reform in Idaho and Florida as well as in other states.  The writer gives insight of Idaho enacting a statewide teacher merit pay and soon Florida.  He also gives credibility with acknowledging Obama's "Race to the Top" initiative, where states applied for grants to have changes in education.  The winners were announced last year, and the winner was Florida.  He also states the $700 million reform was put towards the merit pay plan.  If the Senate approves, then Idaho will be the first state to pass the merit pay legislation.  The author does give a sample of the merit pay, that shows his target audience of not only everyday people, but for future educators, as myself, and parents.  As a parent, I know that I would appreciate and treasure the best qualified educator for my four children.  Lets, face it, if a teacher is not well educated, passionate, and creative in her job, then it will conflict with the education of our children.  Although the writer doesn't state his opinion on the legislation of merit pay, he does bring up an interesting point: will other states follow as well?  I know that on my journey in trying to finish my degree as an Early Childhood Generalist-6th grade, I find it very imperative for a teacher to have this incentive.  I've observed teachers who almost seem to be burned out or lacking education in their field.  In order for a child to succeed in the world, it requires the parent and teacher's education and skills.  The better qualified a teacher is and able to excel with her students scores, the more a student will succeed in their career as well as life.  Now of days, what isn't a competition?  If a fresh out of school teacher is able to have her students score high on their performance versus a veteran teacher who continues to just get by, then why not give the newly teacher a merit pay.  Parents, teachers, and the school is happy, meanwhile, little Janie is going to grow up to be a bright adult.  Everyone wins in the end.  Although it has not been passed, I would not be surprised to see all other states follow through with the merit pay.