Why I question merit pay for teachers and principals

A Carroll ISD principal has resigned. Why?

Allegations of cheating on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, Texas’ standardized test battery.

Last week, officials at Texas Education Agency confirmed that the investigation into testing practices at the highly rated elementary school was related to the March administration of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test.

Andra Barton was principal at Old Union Elementary School, one of 11 in the district rated as “exemplary” by the Texas Education Agency. Given that TEA’s merit pay plans are weighted heavily toward TAKS scores, this should give the agency pause — but probably won’t.