Go to this link and click "neither" on a merit pay poll. It'll take only 5 seconds.

[Orlandodem]

It's from the Orlando Sentinel.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/os-mike-thomas-merit-pay-pro-032110-20100321,0,3930824.column

[Lasher]

1. K

I agree with you.

[catnhatnh]

2. No, I won't...

I took a fast look and the poll has 4 possible answers to a complex question addressed in an op-ed piece. Why would you presume to tell a board as diverse as this how they should or shouldn't vote without even bothering to explain your rationale as to why we should vote as you would like??? And suggest we should blindly do this in "5 seconds" without reading the piece or exercising our own rational consideration?

[RC]

4. Maybe because the link is to a propaganda hit piece?

"The proof is in the tests, which is why some merit pay would be based on them. Tests pinpoint weaknesses and reveal progress."

Who decides what is weak and what is progress, besides the bean counters that dole out the money to the schools depending on how many students passed the tests that is? Who decides who is qualified for the merit pay? There are better ways to reward good teachers and eliminate the bad ones.
Our kids are being taught how to pass a rigged test so the schools can get the federal dollars that used to flow based on student numbers alone. Since that wasn't working fast enough, they are now replacing public schools with privately run 'charter' schools, using public money and public school buildings. Firing teachers and rehiring them back at lower pay and lesser or no benefits for these charter schools - sometimes in the same class rooms.
You should be very scared about where this country is going. The wholesale firing of good experienced teachers and administrators and replacing them with new hires is just the latest in the dumbing down of this country. It is only partly about the money. It is the control of a poorly educated populace that is the goal. They are exceeding all too well.

Edited to add poll response:
POLL: Who got it right, Mike Thomas or Scott Maxwell?

Mike Thomas argues in his column that the current proposal for teacher merit pay will improve schools. Scott Maxwell says in his column there are problems with this plan and that both the teachers unions and the GOP politicians backing the proposal need to compromise.

Do you agree with Maxwell or Thomas?

*

Scott's right. Merit pay could help if done right. Both sides need to compromise for the sake of improving our education system. (17 responses)

19%
*

Mike's right. The unions can't be allowed to block millions of dollars in federal education money -- and they won't be. (24 responses)

27%
*

It's a tossup. Both have good points. (16 responses)

18%
*

Neither. Merit pay has no place in schools and would put too much weight on test scores that are already emphasized too much. (32 responses)

36%

89 total responses

(Results not scientific)

[Catshrink]

7. We're raising expert test-takers - kids who can bubble an answer better than

they can tie their shoes.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. Done

[elocs]

5. Another fake "poll" that needs to be DUed?

Then that's not really a poll that has any meaning.

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. Neither do any of the other multiple polls linked on DU.

Doesn't mean I won't vote in them.

[elocs]

11. For me it means I vote in none of them. A waste of time. n/t

[proud2BlibKansan]

12. You are free to make that choice.

[Catshrink]

6. Done

Do you agree with Maxwell or Thomas?

Scott's right. Merit pay could help if done right. Both sides need to compromise for the sake of improving our education system. (36 responses)

21%

Mike's right. The unions can't be allowed to block millions of dollars in federal education money -- and they won't be. (38 responses)

22%

It's a tossup. Both have good points. (21 responses)

12%

Neither. Merit pay has no place in schools and would put too much weight on test scores that are already emphasized too much. (77 responses)

45%

172 total responses

[radical noodle]

9. Done

"Neither" is 42% out of 311 total responses when I voted.

[Dinger]

10. Done (nt)

[femmocrat]

13. Done. n/t

[deedee77]

14. Done

I don't think standardized tests should be used for anything.

[Riley18]

15. Done. At least "neither" got the most votes. Those NCLB tests should be

called the "Neal Bush Retirement Fund"