This is all I will say because I am too emotional about this subject and it's way off topic....1. Obviously both Ari and Rueben have NEVER been teachers and can only speak as an outsider. 2. I agree something needs to be done about our school system, however making a pay for performance is NOT the answer! You would be punishing the teachers who have children in their class that are slow learners, have learning disabilities, etc. The staffing process in place takes forever to have a child tested and diagnosed with a learning problem, then if the child even does qualify, parents still have to agree to the special classes. So if a child is in your room and doesn't score well on a test due to a learning disability, you're telling me it's the teacher's fault and they should be penalized.-OK NOT a good idea, you'll lose more teachers. 3. Pay- you're telling me that a teacher who works in a poorer neighborhood works harder and should therefore earn 50% more?? Oh really, come do my job for a day!!! I have the BEST class I've ever had in my young career and I still come in at least 1/2 before teachers have to be here and I usually on a no meeting/training day go home an hour after the kids leave. Some nights I don't get home until 8pm after a meeting or training. So DON'T tell me teachers in poorer schools need more money than the rest of us....we ALL need a pay raise!!! 4. Because I haven't gone back for my Master's degree does not make me any less of a teacher. 5. All teachers are paid on the same pay scale....the art teacher makes the same as the rest of us and should!!! Art may be the only thing a child is really good at!! OK, I'm done. I will not rant again, even if I'm tempted to by the uniformed public.