We Know "Merit Pay" in Public Schools

is a big farce, if for no other reason that education isn't a business, and teachers must work in collaboration with each other in order to achieve similar goals.  As a teacher, you work with colleagues at the same grade level or subject area to make sure the state and district standards are adhered to; you don't do whatever the hell you want as a teacher.  You also work with professional and classified support staff in order for your students to reach their potential.  And given the highly political atmosphere in public schools, and the fact principals are in this day and age largely unqualified to run a hot dog stand, let alone a school, principals cannot be trusted to behave fairly towards teachers and pay them accordingly.

It's really a no-brainer, but try and tell know-nothing neoliberals like Obama that.