Review of public school compensation policies and comparison of teacher salaries with those of other white-collar workers found that public schools spend the same percentage of wage-rewarding seniority as other employers. A steeper wage-tenure profile reduces turnover, but turnover costs are likely not high enough to make this an optimal use of…

In an effort to explore the impact of performance incentives in education, the National Center on Performance Incentives (NCPI) partnered with the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) to conduct the Project on Incentives in Teaching, or POINT. The study examines the effects on student outcomes of paying eligible teachers bonuses of up to…

According to data from the 1987-88 Schools and Staffing Survey (56,000 public and 1,500 private school teachers), those in districts with merit pay are not demoralized or hostile toward it. Teachers of disadvantaged and low achieving students support it. Private school teachers favor it more than public school teachers do. (SK)

Using Scholastic Aptitude Test scores as a measure of ability, across-the-board raises in teacher salaries produce only a modest improvement in attracting more able teachers. Such raises tend to encourage teachers of every type to stay longer and lowers the probability of hiring new entrants with high ability. (SK)

A study comparing private and public schools shows that merit pay is widespread in private schools; awards are considerable and are bestowed unobtrusively and selectively. Reasons for merit pay's failure in public schools are not inherent in teaching, but due to specific circumstances, notably union opposition. (Contains 13 references.) (MLH)

This book asks whether higher salaries have improved the quality of newly recruited teachers. It reviews data on the characteristics of beginning teachers and shows how important features of the labor market for teachers systematically undermine efforts to improve teacher quality. The text also offers a comparison of personnel policies and…

Presents two views on merit pay. One suggests that the single salary schedule does not suit today's reform environment, explaining how to align teacher compensation with current educational policy. The other notes that the single salary schedule does not let public school managers adjust teachers' pay to reflect performance and market realities,…

This report is an initial effort to provide systematic information on teacher contracts in Massachusetts. In 1999, the Pioneer Institute solicited copies of the current contract from all districts in the state. Forty districts were selected to reflect the makeup of the Commonwealth. This study confirms that teacher compensation is determined by…

Analysis of data from the Schools and Staffing Survey, 1987-88, reveals that compared to metropolitan schools, nonmetropolitan schools are smaller, have fewer teachers with advanced degrees, and offer fewer advanced or remedial classes. However, smaller rural schools often provide smaller classes, more teacher attention, and a less stressful…