© 2026 KUNR
Illustration of rolling hills with occasional trees and a radio tower.
Serving Northern Nevada and the Eastern Sierra
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Our fall fund drive is happening now, and listeners like you power KUNR’s local news coverage, internship opportunities, and programming!
Plus, your donation will be doubled, thanks to a generous match from David Fenimore, the Tim McFarren and Sandra Koch Charitable Trust, and other KUNR supporters. 🩵

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