Apples or Sticks: The Promise and Pitfalls of Merit Pay Policies

Education reformers often begin with the premise that American schools are failing to meet the needs of the modern era. Nationwide, average spending per pupil in K-12 education continues to grow while student performance on reading and math proficiency tests stagnates. There is also a concern for the overall competitiveness of the American education system and the ability of some school districts with greater need and fewer resources to keep pace with state expectations