Questions for Uri

Here are some of the questions he's fielding now:

Frank from Sammamish: My parents never pushed me on math. I think alot depends on the parents and how they encourage their children.

Uri: Parents are most important and first teachers, but that doesn't mean we can't do a better job on education. Makes it even more important that we prepare all kids for college.

Ross: What's your view on teacher compensation

Uri: All over country districts are looking at different compensation systems. Like in Denver. These alternatives have not come to Washington State yet. Teachers here need to look at brothers and sisters in Denver. Raises are based on test scores as one measure, but not the only one. These seem to be places where younger teachers have more influence.

Ross: What prevents teachers wanting to teach only smartest kids?

Uri: Leadership. The way compensation is structured and leadership. Need more than just seat time for kids and seat time for teachers. Five years ago in Denver, all raises based just how long you were living in classrooms. Now the raises are based on professional development and portfolios. Teachers are often interested in school's performance, not just individual

performance.