Analyzing a study of measurement of teacher merit

Abstract

The study being discussed here was done in Raleigh, North Carolina, but is presented here for the implications it may have for the evolvement of teacher rating scales. This study of teacher merit was authorized by the State Education Commission which was created by the General Assembly of North Carolina. The latter body wanted to know what convenient indices of teacher worth are valid enough to justify their use for salary purposes. Although the researchers failed to fully realize this objective, the study was of value in making those concerned critical of existing procedure for merit rating. It also led to several findings of educational significance about the characteristics of a good teacher.