In May 2006, the Texas Educator Excellence Scholarship Program was enacted by a special legislative session in Texas. Gov. Rick Perry and several lawmakers sponsored the bill, which allocates state funds to underwrite merit payment plans in Texas schools across the state. It is the largest incentive payment program in the country.

Basically, the program implements a long-standing business concept in Texas schools, treating teachers as individual professionals rather than as an educational team. Proponents of the program believe that mediocrity becomes the standard, when excellence and mediocrity are rewarded equally.

The legislature allocated $ 100 million for teacher bonuses for this school year and another $ 250 million for the next school year. The program targets Texas schools, which have a large population of low-income students but have also achieved one of the two highest performance ratings in the state: exemplary or recognized. Classroom teacher bonuses are only for those who teach in core subject areas and are based on students’ standardized test scores.

This year grants for the program were awarded to 1,161 Texas schools, 15 percent of all traditional and charter schools in the state. Although this program has largely not been tested in public schools, Texas schools have volunteered it for schools that qualify. Teachers are required to provide input at each school and final approval of the program.

More than 24 schools have already rejected the program and awarded funds, with some returning up to $ 90,000 to the state. Linda Bridges of the Texas Federation of Teachers stated that the bill’s sponsors never consulted with teachers before developing and approving the program. Critics of the program do not believe it achieves what the proponents suggest, and resistance from teachers remains high.

One of the reasons cited is the animosity that such a plan will provoke in Texas schools, pitting one teacher against another to get the bonuses. It would dissolve the team spirit that prevails in many Texas schools where teachers and staff work together for the success of the entire school. This “one big family” attitude is adopted by many educators. Under the state’s program, only core subject teachers are eligible for the bonds, ignoring many teachers who contribute to the overall success of the school.

Many Texas school educators view the program as a disruption, distracting teachers from focusing on raising students’ test scores and improving their academic performance. Instead, they would focus on personal gain over the overall success of the school.

Another drawback of the incentive pay program is the amount of paperwork required for a school to participate. Many Texas school teachers would rather spend that time working with their students.

Debbie Ratcliffe of Texas schools said they expect at least 98 percent of schools to accept grant money and develop merit payment plans for their teachers.