“Imagine if a computer could identify the weakest-link teachers — the ones who should be told it’s time to get out of the classroom. It’s not quite so simple, but a new policy in Houston allows teachers to be fired based on data that some experts say isolates a teacher’s effect on his or her students’ test-score gains. Reform advocates say school districts should improve teacher quality in part by using such ‘value added’ data. Dozens of districts, including Houston’s, have already incorporated the concept into ‘pay for performance’ systems. Education leaders in New York City and the District of Columbia are moving toward linking it to tenure or dismissals. But none has gone ahead as boldly as the Texas district.” [editor’s note: It shouldn’t be the only factor, but it should be considered (assuming, of course, that these standardized tests actually measure student competence, which is still at question) - SAT] (03/17/10)