Obama shows commitment to teachers, pushes for reforms

In his first major education speech as president, Barack Obama unveiled a potentially controversial plan that includes merit-based teacher pay, a longer school year, tracking of individual students' progress and removal of restrictions on charter schools. Reacting to Obama's speech, National Education Association President Dennis Van Roekel said Obama showed he plans to provide resources when he sets policy and is supporting teachers. "When Secretary [Arne] Duncan was in Chicago, what he focused on was not test scores but on teachers who are National Board Certified," Van Roekel said. "He was right. It paid off. That is being paid for performance." Chicago Tribune , MSNBC/The Associated Press , The Washington Post