Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Test-based evals, 'merit" pay at issue in Evergreen Park strike

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Test-based evals, 'merit" pay at issue in Evergreen Park strike:

Test-based evals, 'merit" pay at issue in Evergreen Park strike.

by Mike Klonsky

Passing cars honk in support of Evergreen Park teachers

As Chicago teachers prepare to vote today on their new contract, teachers and support staff in the predominantly white, working-class Chicago suburb of Evergreen Park went on strike this morning. Negotiations have been dragging on since April. Highland Park and Crystal Lake teachers could follow suit later this month if they are still without a decent contract.

Among the things at issue are forced cuts in health care and retirement benefits. The board is also trying to force a new evaluation plan on teachers using "merit pay" based on students' standardized test scores. Seems to be a pattern here. Here's hoping the EP teachers get some real backing from IEA leaders who were conspicuously