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"Grinchlike union bosses are blocking at least 200 of
Boston’s best teachers from pocketing bonuses for their
classroom heroics in a puzzling move that gets a failing
grade from education experts.

The Boston Teachers Union staunchly opposes a performance
bonus plan for top teachers - launched at the John D.
O’Bryant School in 2008 and funded by the Bill and Melinda
Gates and Exxon Mobil foundations - insisting the dough be
divvied up among all of a school’s teachers, good and bad.

“It’s insanity,” said Jim Stergios, executive director of
the nonpartisan Pioneer Institute. “They’re less concerned
about promoting the interest of individual members than
maintaining control over their members.”

The incentive program pays Advanced Placement teachers $100
bonuses for each student who passes the test, and up to
$3,000 a year for meeting other goals. Students also can
also receive $100 for passing.

“(The union) is standing in the way of innovation,” school
Superintendent Carol R. Johnson told the Herald. “I think we
have to realize we can’t do business as usual. . . . We have
to be willing to make changes and give kids the
opportunities they need.”"  

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