This study was undertaken to determine the perceptions of a wide range of citizens and to inform the Mississippi Legislature on the issue of merit pay in education. From each of 50 randomly selected Mississippi school districts, a representation of grades K through 12 was chosen, with all professional and administrative staff members asked to respond to an opinionnaire consisting of 13 statements and 2 open ended items. All the members of 30 civic clubs within the selected districts and the entire population of the Mississippi Legislature were included in the mailing. Merit pay is defined as paying educators with the same degree and experience a higher salary based on predetermined criteria. Data were subjected to statistical analysis. Statements favoring merit pay received positive support from legislators and civic club members, whereas administrators and teachers did not support merit pay. It is observed that the position of educators on the issue of merit pay has not been clearly presented to the general public. Consequently, better communication between these two groups through public forums, media, or other methods is suggested as a means of overcoming the negative impression created by the issue. Included in the study are 16 tables and 21 references. The appendices, which occupy more than half the document, consist of the questionnaire and participants' responses and comments. (WTH)