To improve professors' performance, merit pay has been suggested, and is being seriously considering by the trustees of the University of Northern Colorado, in Greeley. Unfortunately, a merit pay plan will not improve quality. The playing field isn't level. If there is any doubt regarding the answers to these questions, that doubt constitutes sufficient reason to question the validity of student evaluations. Let s look at another merit criterion.
Merit pay is divisive.
It has been tried at UNC, and its alleged positive impact has never been documented. In fact, a good case can be made for the assertion that merit pay plans have a detrimental effect on faculty morale, and, ultimately, upon quality performance. Solid research, not popular hypothesis, ought to provide the basis for any decision on an issue that could, in fact, have exactly the opposite effect than the one intended. This article, from the Independence Institute staff, fellows and research network, is offered for your use at no charge. Independence Feature Syndicate articles are published for educational purposes only, and the authors speak for themselves.