The Failure of "Reform" - Merit Pay

by: Jersey Jazzman

Fri Oct 28, 2011 at 09:00:00 AM EDT

Every time merit pay has been tried in schools, it has failed.

When corporate reformers point to a merit pay program that works, inevitably there are many other variables at play. But when controlling for other factors, merit pay is an abject failure.

Belief in merit pay reminds me of Linus in the pumpkin patch. It doesn't matter that the Great Pumpkin disappoints him year after year: he insists on believing. He can't adjust his view of the world based on facts; the world must adjust to him.

So I've given up trying to change people's minds on this. Either you are open to the truth, or you're not. And the truth is, merit pay will never, ever help student achievement.

But don't listen to me: (trust me, this clip is worth it)