A school district where all teachers merit pay increase

Employees of the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage school district south of Minneapolis, Minnesota, have long touted the gifts of its 600 teachers. They’re experienced, they care about students, and they strive to improve, they say. In fact, almost every teacher last year got a $2,000 bonus.

Last month the district released the results of its first full year of a merit pay system, part of Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s “Q Comp” program, meant to reward quality teaching. Teachers can get up to $2,000 annually for meeting personal, classroom, and school goals.

In the last round of evaluations in the 2006-07 year, 603 teachers “exceeded standards,” six “met standards” and not a single one fell below standards. Even considering their good reputation, is it really possible that not a single teacher is falling behind? Read more about the system in The Star Tribune online.