Merit Pay
What is the main goal of merit pay for teachers?
To reward effective teachers and improve performance
What is the purpose of national teacher certification standards?
To ensure teachers meet consistent quality benchmarks
What is a charter school?
A publicly funded but independently operated school
What is the main goal of standardized testing?
To measure student achievement and school performance
What arm of the Department of Education tracked education data?
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Merit pay is based on what key economic principle?
Incentives
What is one potential economic benefit of raising teacher salaries?
Improved teacher retention and student outcomes
What’s the main purpose of school choice programs?
To give parents and students more educational options
According to the Brookings Institution, about how much do state tests cost per student?
Around $30–$40.
Which economist found that improving education quality raises GDP growth?
Eric Hanushek
What is one major criticism of merit pay systems?
They can encourage “teaching to the test”
What does the term “human capital” refer to?
The skills, education, and productivity of a population
In theory, how does school choice improve education quality?
By creating competition that drives schools to perform better
What is one advantage of standardized testing?
It provides measurable data for accountability and funding decisions
What’s the long-term goal of education reform?
To improve learning outcomes and build a stronger, more equitable economy
According to research, what type of teachers are most likely to support merit-based pay?
High-performing teachers
Why do certification reforms often take years to show results?
Because educational and economic gains appear gradually as students enter the workforce
What is one criticism of charter schools?
They can divert funds from traditional public schools or increase inequality
What is one disadvantage of standardized testing?
It can narrow instruction ("teaching to the test") or stress teachers and students
What’s one trade-off policymakers face in designing reforms?
Balancing efficiency (performance) and equity (access)
What is one way to make merit pay systems more fair and effective?
Combine student growth data with peer reviews and classroom evaluations
What organization or policy typically oversees teacher credentialing in each state?
State Education Departments
What does the term “local knowledge” mean in this context?
That communities know best how to design and run their schools effectively
What is one proposed solution for improving standardized testing?
Invest in higher-quality, skill-based, or adaptive assessments
What does the term “human capital investment” mean?
Spending on education and training to increase long-term productivity and growth