What would justify a merit-based pay system?

by Sara Bernard

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What would justify a merit-based pay system?
author 1: 
Sara Bernard [1]

Many teachers deride the idea of merit pay, particularly if it is tied to student performance [2]. But in Alaska’s Chugach District [3], annual bonuses are handled differently: All teachers receive an identical performance bonus based on the average of their evaluations (detailed, holistic rubrics that do not include student test scores). Can merit pay be justified? Tell us what you think.

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Source URL: http://www.edutopia.org/what-would-justify-merit-pay

Links:
[1] http://www.edutopia.org/sara-bernard
[2] http://www.edutopia.org/teachers-receive-incentive-pay-performance
[3] http://www.edutopia.org/chugach-school-district-reform
[4] http://www.edutopia.org/whats-next-2007-merit-pay
[5] http://www.enidnews.com/opinion/local_story_246235120.html?keyword=secondarystory
[6] http://blog.mlive.com/annarbornews/2007/08/should_teachers_pay_be_based_o.html

This article originally published on 9/24/2007
Edutopia: What Works in Public Education © 2009 The George Lucas Educational Foundation • All rights reserved.