KIPP Academy New York, a high-scoring Bronx charter school, is under fire from the state comptroller for giving teachers Caribbean vacations as a motivational bonus.
More than 90% of students are meeting math standards, and graduates of the city’s four middle schools go to college at an 80% rate, the school’s superintendent and founder, Dave Levin, said.
The trips are funded by private donations, Levin says.
I agree with Alexander Russo and Inside Schools: KIPP teachers work very long hours during the school year. If the school chooses to reward them with a trip to the Bahamas or the Dominican Republic, what’s the harm? It probably creates more teacher bonding than handing them a bonus check at the end of the year.
You wonder how many conferences of the State Comptroller Association this guy attends every year. Those conferences are seldom held in cities lacking attractions/distractions.
Bonuses? There are teachers who get end-of-the-year bonuses?
merit pay does exist, Darren, even in California.
Teachers in my (public, non charter) district receive a stipend every year, anywhere from 3-7% of our salary. It comes out of budget money which did not have to be spent on workman’s comp, substitute pay, etc. In 48th-in-pay in the nation Oklahoma, it is a real draw to our district.
Along the lines of merit pay, it focuses on something all teachers can affect - number of days absent, safety practices. We are also looking at using private money to fund bonuses to teachers who work with our most challenging (non special services) students. Our special services teachers (also a district decision, not a state or county requirement) receive 10% more than regular education teachers.
Some business tenets do seem to have a place in education; increased pay for more challenging positions seems to be one.
End-of-the-year bonuses and merit pay. I’ve got to find me one of those school districts.