Compare the pair on salaries

When it comes to differences between the Howard Government's performance pay proposal and the ALP's policy, the difference is stark. ANGELO GAVRIELATOS explains.

Informed by a pathological, negative mindset towards the profession, the Howard Government has maintained its view that performance pay would form part of the next round of funding negotiations with the states and territories.

The performance pay regime would not be accompanied by additional federal government funding and it would more than likely take the form of an Australian Workplace Agreement (individual contract). By the Federal Minister Julie Bishop's own admission, the decision by Federal Treasurer Peter Costello not to allocate any additional money to this flawed proposal would have the effect of teachers sacrificing salary increases to provide bonuses for a few.

Failing to recognise the complex social and human dynamic of education, the Howard Government has proposed a number of possible models for performance pay which are an absolute insult to teachers.

The models include:

1. Handing out performance pay on the basis of student results in mass testing programs. To paraphrase NSW Education Minister John Della Bosca, 'If performance pay was based, for example, on the year 3 basic skills test who would claim the performance pay? The year 3 teacher or the K, 1 and 2 teachers who played an equally important part in the education of year 3 student?' A similar question could of course be asked of a year 7 or 9 mass test and so on. A totally illogical proposal.
2. Reducing teaching to a popularity contest where parents and students would rate teachers. On the day this particular proposal was announced, the Sydney Morning Herald posted an entry on its blog site saying that were students given the opportunity to determine teachers' pay Paris Hilton would be the highest paid teacher at a boys' high school.
3. Principals handing out bonuses as they see fit. This "brown paper bag" approach is truly insulting and like the aforementioned "models" would cause division and disruption in schools where staff currently work productively to produce the best outcomes for students.

As John Della Bosca said: "This agenda would do little more than pitch teacher against teacher and destroy the collegiality that we know delivers the best outcomes for students."

This view is reinforced in the Senate Standing Committee report Quality of School Education, released on September 13. It notes "there is potential for individual performance pay to create considerable tension in school communities, and lead to a serious loss of trust and collegial spirit. That would damage rather than enhance quality teaching."

In contrast, whilst there is need for further clarification and detailed negotiations, including a guarantee of additional funding, the ALP's policy Teaching Standards: Recognising and Rewarding Quality Teaching in Public Schools contains positive proposals.

The ALP's proposal is built around the notion of recognising and rewarding quality teaching in public schools through a process of assessing teachers against standards. It would be accompanied by "significantly increased funding in public schools".

It proposes a payment of about an additional $10,000 above the current top of the scale rate per annum for teachers who are deemed to meet the standards for "highly accomplished" teaching.

There is no stated quota limiting the number of teachers who could be assessed and deemed eligible. The package would be negotiated with the states and territories as part of a national compact of schooling. It is to be implemented through negotiated collective agreements.

Furthermore the proposal announced by the ALP gives a commitment to:

• provide Commonwealth professional development funding;
• provide additional funding to increase levels of experience and leadership density in targeted difficult-to-staff schools;
• consider providing HECS relief or "forgiveness" for graduates who become teachers in areas of teacher shortage; and
• maintain and protect the common incremental scale for all teachers.

Angelo Gavrielatos is the Deputy President.

Coalition seeks mandate for performance pay

Federation's key messages

Politicians pledge to support increased funding

Hockey greeted by protesters

A new approach gets results

Core issue taken to PM

Forum to seek last word in education debate

Our right to keep parents informed

Shame file

Teachers 'not a protected species'

Voting is deadly

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October 2007 contents