Re:first: override the teacher's unions (Score 1)

We don't mind being held up to merit pay or performance pay, if you give us the tools back to manage our classes and be honest with students and their parents. But you can't have it both ways. You want higher test scores and results, without providing the means to achieve them.

Sometimes kids need a crack on the rear to behave and get focused. Sometimes "F" is appropriate for failure to do any work or make any effort. Sometimes, mom and dad, we need to tell you it IS YOUR FAULT and to get off your ass, instead of being forced to kiss your ass so you don't cause trouble for the principal. Sometimes, your kid needs yelled at or lectured about how they are ruining their lives and the classroom environment, instead of following some lame procedure filling out a form to kick them out of school because that is the only option schools have left. Sometimes, holding a kid back is indeed best for them. Sometimes, good teachers need to be hired instead of those who can coach a sport or are friends with a school board member.

In other words, leave us alone to do our jobs in a way that lines up with the best research (classroom management is the number 1 factor for learning ahead of income and race) - and BRING ON the merit pay - uh, that is, if you provide the money for a merit pay system.