Victoria, May 21, 2009 – Good performance will paying off for teachers in Victoria. They are set to receive financial bonuses for raising the student’s results. This is part of the State Government’s move to inject performance-based pay into the education system before the next election.

Victoria is expected to pilot the program as early as next year. The merit-based pay scheme is part of the state-wide push to compensate high-performing staff and to attract more people to join the ranks of teachers.

The metrics for achieving bonuses will be based on student performance on benchmarks such as literacy and numeracy results, attendance rates and student well-being. Teachers are expected to demonstrate that hey have added value to their student’s learning, regardless of the initial level of achievement.

Education Minister Bronwyn Pike recently commissioned a consulting group to research on the viable performance-based pay systems in other countries. The model will be tested in Victoria in 2010. Reaction to the program is still uncertain. Many teachers and principals are traditionally opposed to the payment scheme. Over the years, the education union also softened its stance toward performance pay.
“If they were going to go down this path, it would have been better to take a long-term view, rather than just the quick and easy fix,” says Australian Education Union state president Mary Bluett.

Source:
theage.com.au