Research

  • Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools

    The signature research initiative of the National Center on Performance Incentives is a randomized field trial in Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) in which student achievement-related bonuses are being offered to teachers. This multi-year performance pay experiment addresses a key issue in education, namely the prospect of aligning teacher pay and student achievement.

    The randomized field trial conducted in MNPS focuses on middle school math teachers. Bonuses are based upon student achievement gains, funded by local philanthropic contributions, and range from $5,000 to $15,000. This experiment benefits from ongoing collaboration with local school district and teacher association officials.

    In addition to the randomized field trial, NCPI will undertake examination of teacher behavior and institutional and organizational dynamics that accompany implementation of a pay-for-performance program. Furthermore, researchers will study the program’s intended and unintended consequences as well as conduct a cost-benefit analysis of pay-for-performance relative to other interventions such as class-size reductions and professional development.

    Please visit the site in coming months for additional information and updates on NCPI’s work.

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Nearly 300 middle school math teachers in Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools volunteered to participate in the flagship experiment of the National Center on Performance Incentives. These teachers, representing approximately 70 percent of eligible teachers, are participating in the nation's first pay-for-performance experiment. The experiment began in the fall of 2006 and will continue for three years."