METHODS OF INQUIRY

Examination of teacher perception towards merit pay in a magnet school

Examination of teacher perception towards merit pay in a magnet school

Hypothesis Question

The quantitative research question with at least two variables is, 'How merit pay fails to increase the academic performance?' In this research question the two variables are “Merit Pay” and “Academic Performance”.

Variables of Hypothesis

Including models listed below defining your variables:

Figure 1 - Variables Defined

Figure 2 - Independent Variable

Figure 3 - Dependent Variable

Conceptual Definition Merit Pay

Merit pay is usually described as performance related pay which affects the academic performance. Merit pay is awarded to those who perform their jobs effectively according to a measurable standard. In Ney York, the bonus criteria were dependent on the student's results. According to the research most of the teachers are unaware of the bonus criteria. The teachers, who aimed for a bonus or not were found to perform the same efforts on students to reach their school's target. School staff complained that without striving for the bonus, they were already performing their hard work for the school. Studies suggested those high degrees of teachers and more education doesn't directly affect the students' performance. Therefore, the performance of students was attributed directly to the teacher's bonuses (Heneman 2005, 40).

Schools with merit pay system attract teachers other than a school with no merit-pay system. President Obama encourages merit-pay system. He believes that the teachers should be paid on the basis of merit rather on arbitrary tests. The method of the reward varies but usually it is a cash bonus or a salary increment. Efficiency wage theory suggests that employees feel motivated due to merit and do not shrink their duties. Goals setting theory suggests that merit pay means more duties and responsibilities. Reinforcement theory is used in this hypothesis. This theory applies here which relates to the academic performance. Reinforcement theory is related to the perception and concept of valence. It can also be said that it is related to the perception of the final results of an activity such as merit pay. Reinforcement theory discusses that merit pay on performance should be made constant so that they can truly influence the perception of employees. To improve employees' performance, merit pay should be more attractive than leisure time. As merit pay is related to subsequent performance, therefore it should be paid according to the previous performance.

The actual and perceived relationship of a performance ...