EFFECTS OF THE TEACHER INCENTIVE PAY PROGRAM IN THE CENTER SCHOOL DISTRICT

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if the implementation of the TeacherIncentive Pay program had an effect on the attendance of certificated staff and substitutecost in Center School district for the 2008 - 2009 and 2009 - 2010 school year. Theattendance and financial data from the 2008 - 2009 and 2009 - 2010 school year wascompared to baseline attendance and financial pre-implementation data from the 2007 -2008 school year to establish whether or not there was improvement made as it related toincreased teacher attendance and substitute cost reduction.A quasi-experimental methodology was used to evaluate the effect of the TeacherIncentive Pay program. The population and sample included eligible teachers, librariansand counselors in Center School District. The sampling procedure was purposive. Thesample included eligible staff employed in Center School District during the baselineyear and two years of the plan.The results of this study yielded evidence that the Teacher Incentive Plan programdid have an impact on staff attendance and finances. Teacher absence demonstrated asignificant decline during the first year of the implementation of the program; however,absenteeism increased back to almost the same number of days as the baseline during thefinal year of the program. Financial cost was affected by the Teacher Incentive Payprogram. Substitute cost demonstrated an increase during both years of the program.There was no significant difference in attendance between elementary and secondarystaff due to the Teacher Incentive Pay program.