Globe doesn't get Obama's intent

THE GLOBE criticizes Massachusetts teacher union leaders for resisting President Obama's education initiatives, suggesting he is an ardent advocate for teacher bonuses when students earn high scores on standardized tests. A comparison between this view and his own words is enlightening. In a speech delivered March 10 before the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, he said: "We're creating new pathways to teaching and new incentives to bring teachers to schools where they're needed most. That's why we support offering extra pay to Americans who teach math and science to end a teacher shortage in those subjects."

Also, the president's education agenda, according to the White House website states, "Obama and [Vice President Joe] Biden will promote new and innovative ways to increase teacher pay that are developed with teachers, not imposed on them. Districts will be able to design programs that reward with a salary increase accomplished educators who serve as mentors to new teachers. Districts can reward teachers who work in underserved places like rural areas and inner cities. And if teachers consistently excel in the classroom, that work can be valued and rewarded as well."

There are many English teachers in Boston's public schools who could tutor the editorial board in the finer points of research, though they may be reluctant to tie pay to performance.

JAMES NEHRING, Ayer
The writer is an assistant professor of education at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell.