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Editorial: Baldacci errs in plan for high school wages

Posted on Jan. 24, 2010, at 11:16 p.m.

In Gov. John Baldacci’s State of the State address Thursday night, he weighed in on some of the crises facing Maine in the coming year and the direction he thinks we should go in to alleviate some of the issues.

Many of Baldacci’s plans will come as good news to some — such as a focus on wind power — but we take issue with one of his suggestions: the idea that the wages of public high school teachers should be dictated by their students’ performace.

Teachers have an important role to play in the development of students that goes beyond raw regurgitation of information, but there is only so much they can do for students who have to be there.The age-old saying holds true: You can lead a student to class, but you can’t make them learn.

Not only would it be ineffective, this policy is open to multiple abuses, such as students doing poorly on purpose to get back at their instructors or teachers compromising their standards to improve grades.

Teachers are already required to get reaccredited every five years, which includes 45 hours of training in material relevant to the subjects they teach. This is a good system, ensuring teachers stay fresh and focused in their professions without putting the unhelpful pressure of trying to work miracles before a potentially hostile audience.

We’re glad the governor is thinking ahead for new ways to help our state, but we think he should go back to the drawing board for this one.

Campus Currents: John Baldacci