Merit Pay for Productivity: Does It Work?

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine what impact the 1995-1996 State University System’s Teacher Incentive Program (TIP) had on the University of West Florida faculty members’ motivation to become more effective and productive teachers. Two separate and distinct instruments were utilized to gather data to address the study’s research questions and statistical hypothesis. Results of this study indicate that TIP did not motivate most faculty members to improve the quality of their teaching; TIP selection was based entirely on productivity and not an objective measurement of teaching ability; there was a strong link between productivity and winning the award; TIP motivated faculty members to increase their teaching load in order to be eligible for the award; and TIP has a negative effect on the morale of faculty members.