It’s common to hear that teachers should be paid better — more like doctors and lawyers. In 2009, the Equity Project, a charter school in New York decided to try it: they would pay all their teachers $125k per year with the possibility of an additional bonus. The typical teacher in New York with 5 years’ experience makes between $64k and $76k. The charter school, known as TEP, would pay much more. But in exchange, teachers, who are not unionized, would accept additional responsibilities, and the school would keep a close eye on their work. 4 years later, students at TEP score better on state tests than similar students elsewhere.

what becomes possible when you’re not constrained by a union straightjacket.

• Uncategorized