© 2026 Boise State Public Radio
NPR in Idaho
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Why merit pay is controversial among teachers

For decades, many teachers have pushed back on the idea of performance pay, saying it unfairly pits teachers against one another. But two new studies from South Carolina and Texas found that offering merit pay for teachers can benefit students.

Matt Barnum, an editor and columnist with Chalkbeat, joins us to discuss why merit pay is so controversial among teachers.

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.

Copyright 2026 WBUR

Here & Now Newsroom

You make stories like this possible.

The biggest portion of Boise State Public Radio's funding comes from readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

Your donation today helps make our local reporting free for our entire community.