DCist: D.C. Teachers Push Polled by Union; Paid by Pro-Merit Group

albrightak

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 10:24:36 -0500

This is not a push poll. Here is an example of a push poll question: "Would you still support this proposal if you knew it was supported by David Duke and funded by the American Neo-Nazi Party?"

meelar

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 10:07:12 -0500

OK, pet peeve time. I used to work for a pollster, and THIS IS NOT A PUSH POLL. Push polls are not in fact polls at all; instead, it's just a telemarketing effort designed as a poll. A real push poll would not tell you who's conducting the poll, or would use a fake name, and they would not ask long detailed questions; instead they would keep things short, not ask demographic information, and try to make as many calls as possible, discarding the data gathered. This is just the AFT testing out negative messages to see which is most effective--a totally legitimate use of polling. See Pollster.com for more. (/vent) Now that said, I am in favor of the merit pay proposal. Just wanted to get that off my chest.

Reid

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:44:53 -0500

Erin the non-cynical answer to your question is that some teachers fear that they will not be judged fairly (due to racism, ageism, favoritism, or any other ism you can think of) and thus will be docked in pay despite being good teachers. The cynical answer is that there are lazy teachers that have no interest in doing more than is absolutely required and thus they don't want to actually get paid accordingly. My guess is that the opposition is a mix of both groups.

erincarly

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:31:05 -0500

i don't understand why people would be against merit pay. you do well, you get paid more. you don't do well, you don't get a raise. isn't that the way most other kinds of jobs work?

chelita

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 20:41:25 -0500

A push poll is really not a poll. It's designed to sway people's opinions to that of which organization paid for it. I'm a DC teacher and for the plan. Bring it to a vote, WTU. Let the teachers decide.

demonfafa

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:50:19 -0500

I've dealt with Hart before when I worked for a Law Association. It's rather disgusting how their polls are presented as being completely unbiased.

Disco Stu

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:41:48 -0500

...I guess they must feel pushed and polled in both directions? ...hello, is this thing on?