[email protected]

In a message dated 10/19/2003 4:06:48 AM Eastern Standard Time,
[email protected] writes:
I just found this article. Do they really think more money will make better
teachers?
http://www.sites4teachers.com/links/redirect.php?url=http://www.startribune.co
m/stories/1592/4129828.html

Pawlenty pitches paying 'super teachers' up to $100,000
Let's assume for the sake of discussion that homeschooling is not a
possibility for many familes, okay?

This summer my son and I had the amazing opportunity to hear Jonathan Kozol,
author of "Savage Inequalities" speak. His book is about the differences in
education opportunities between rich suburbs (where mostly white people live)
and innercity (where mostly brow people live) schools. He described being at a
party in a rich suburb and having conversations with wealthy people who either
send their children to expensive private schools or ensure that they live in
suburbs that offer their children excellent opportunities with plenty of
learning materials, well-paid teachers, etc. And heard them ask, over and over, "Do
you really think more money would make a difference?"

His response: "You certainly seem to think so."

What would happen if the best, proven, and best paid teachers in a given
state were sent, along with other funding and materials, to the poorest districts
with the children who had the least home support? Of course it's not a
shoe-in...but it couldn't hurt.

Kathryn


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