Merit Pay for Teachers

Paper Summary:

The paper explores the concept of merit pay for individual teachers, in the form of bonuses or permanent salary increases, and their effectiveness in improving student performance and teacher attrition rates. The paper looks at several states that have successfully implemented merit pay programs and considers studies that have found a generally positive relationship between merit pay and improvements in student achievement. The paper also discusses past failed attempts at instituting merit pay systems, and the importance of new pay-for-performance programs countering the previous failures.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Merit Pay for Teachers Concept
Union Resistance Supporting Mediocrity
Merit Pay Stories of Success
Research Demonstrating the Potential of Merit Pay
Milken Family Foundation's Teacher Advancement Program
Recommendations for Merit Pay Systems
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The public education system, as it currently exists, was developed in the middle of the 19th century. Following the industrial model of this era, teachers were seen as assembly-line workers. They added value to their product (their student) and then passed it along to the next worker on the line. With this concept, all workers must be interchangeable, and each must work independently. This isolation and egalitarianism combine powerfully to perpetuate a culture that is resistant to reform initiatives, according to Boles and Troen (2007)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Boles, K. & Troen, V. (Nov/Dec 2007). How to improve professional practice. Principal, 87(2). Retrieved November 11, 2007, from Education Research Complete database.
• Cavanagh, S. (24 Oct 2007). Employees sharing in Alaska's bonuses. Education Week, 27(9). Retrieved November 11, 2007, from MasterFILE Premier database.
• A good mark for teacher merit pay. (27 Aug 2007). Christian Science Monitor, 99(190). Retrieved November 11, 2007, from Academic Search Premier database.
• Honawar, V. (24 Oct 2007a). N.Y.C. Unveils merit-pay plan for teachers in high-need schools. Education Week, 27(9). Retrieved November 11, 2007, from Academic Search Premier database.
• ---. (24 Jan 2007b). Texas enlists Vanderbilt to study pay initiative. Education Week, 26(20). Retrieved November 11, 2007, from Academic Search Premier database.

More papers on Merit Pay for Teachers:

• Essay # 139420 : "Incentive and Merit Pay Plans for Teachers"
• Argumentative Essay # 54570 : "Merit Pay: Examining the Effect on Teacher Performance"
• Research Proposal # 58845 : "Pay for Performance"

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