A merit pay bill that rewards schools for exceeding educational expectations could be debated before the Legislature recesses for the winter holidays
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Senate President Stephen Sweeney says he won't consider a merit pay proposal for teachers because of the politics involved in giving bonuses.TRENTON — New Jersey Senate President Stephen Sweeney says he could support merit pay in classrooms so long as schools, not individual teachers, are rewarded.
The South Jersey Democrat tells The Associated Press a merit pay bill that rewards schools for exceeding educational expectations could be debated before the Legislature recesses for the winter holidays.
However, the Senate president says he won't consider a merit pay proposal for teachers because of the politics involved in giving bonuses.
Sweeney controls which bills get posted for discussion and votes in the Senate.
Gov. Chris Christie has proposed changes to public education that include eliminating lifetime teacher tenure, tying teacher evaluations to student achievement and establishing a system of merit pay.
Most of the Republican governor's proposals require approval from the Democratic Legislature.
Related coverage:
• Moran: After Christie-Sweeney dustup, education reform's fate lies with the bosses
• N.J. Senate President Sweeney will not move forward on two of Christie's education proposals
