From press release:

VCU TO HOST OCTOBER 1 FORUM ON MERIT PAY AND TEACHER EVALUATION

There is a heated debate raging across the country about reforms to change the way teachers are paid. Some reformers have argued that the key to keeping the best teachers in the profession is to reward them for their excellence with merit pay. Critics argue that merit pay relies too strongly on standardized tests results that do not validly indicate who is a better teacher than others. The Virginia Department of Education is currently partnering with a small number of districts around the state to test out different merit pay systems.

A forum will be held Saturday, Oct. 1, noon-2 p.m., in the Virginia Commonwealth University Student Commons, Virginia Rooms C and D, 907 Floyd Ave., in Richmond, to bring together a number of speakers who represent diverse opinions regarding this reform. The goal of the forum is to provide a democratic space where these views can be shared, and where the public can join the dialogue.

Panelists will include:

· Kitty Boitnott, Virginia Education Association President
· Gabriel Reich, VCU School of Education Assistant Professor
· Tichi Pinkney Eppes, Greater Richmond Education Reform Alliance
· Stephanie Hooks, Richmond Public Schools
· Mary Tedrow, National Board Certified Teacher
· Martin Reardon, VCU School of Education Associate Professor

The forum is sponsored by Richmond Teachers for Social Justice, South Atlantic Philosophy of Education Society, VCU School of Education and the Student Virginia Education Association.

###