Schools

Newark Teachers Begin Getting Merit Pay

Payouts coming from Zuckerberg donation.

This story was written by Mike D'Onofrio.  

Newark's best teachers received bonuses of up to $12,500 last week as the first checks were given out for the inauguration of the district's controversial merit-pay program, according to The Wall Street Journal.

About 5 percent of the district's 3,200-member union will receive nearly $1.3 million in merit-based bonuses, which is funded by the $100 million donation given to the district two years ago by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, according to the article.

Find out what's happening in Newarkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The contract uses the new four-tier teacher rating system, according to NJ.com. The formula includes a 13.9 percent salary increase over three years for those with high ratings.

In addition, teachers can earn $5,000 for being rated as highly effective; $5,000 for working in one of the city’s lowest-performing schools; and $2,500 for teaching a hard-to-staff subject, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Find out what's happening in Newarkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

While 190 teachers received bonuses, only 11 received the top bonus of $12,500, according to The Wall Street Journal.


The merit-pay plan was approved in November by the Newark Teachers Union. Newark is the first district in the state to offer its teachers bonus pay based on student performance.

The merit-pay plan has been touted by Gov. Chris Christie, whosaid in November, "Not only does it provide merit bonuses and provide advancement based upon merit, but it also involves the teachers in the evaluation process as well."

"Everyone has a stake in it, and I think it's going to improve the quality of education in the city of Newark," Christie also said in November.



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