A controversial bonus program for teachers in Florida got approval from a state House education committe last week to continue operation. The Best and Brightest Teacher Scholarship Program will hand out bonuses to over 5,000 teachers by April 1. While many teachers support increased pay, many also say that basing bonuses on college entrance exam scores–some taken decades ago–does not necessarily reflect a teacher’s effectiveness in the classroom. In fact, Florida’s teacher of the year, Diane McKee from Hillsborough County, did not qualify for the scholarship program. Critics also say that qualifying teachers also tend to cluster in certain school districts.
