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Research ArticleArticles

Teacher Performance-Based Incentives and Learning Inequality

Deon Filmer, James Habyarimana and Shwetlena Sabarwal
Published online before print October 06, 2023, 1120-11313R2; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.1120-11313R2
Deon Filmer
Deon Filmer is the Director of the Development Research Group at the World Bank ().
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James Habyarimana
James Habyarimana is a Professor of Public Policy at the McCourt School of Public Policy, Georgetown Univeristy ().
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Shwetlena Sabarwal
Shwetlena Sabarwal is a Senior Economist at the World Bank ().
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Abstract

This study evaluates the impacts of low-cost, performance-based incentives in Tanzanian secondary schools. Results from a two-phase randomized trial show that teacher incentives, when sustained for two years, led to persistent, modest average improvements in student achievement across different subjects. Randomly withdrawing incentives after a year didn’t lead to a “discouragement effect”. Incentives may have exacerbated learning inequality across schools. Increases in learning were concentrated among initially better-performing schools. We also find weak evidence of teacher incentives exacerbating learning inequality within initially better-performing schools. Finally, the study finds that incentivizing students without simultaneously incentivizing teachers did not produce learning gains.

Keywords:
  • Student achievement
  • Teacher Incentives
  • Student Incentives
  • Learning outcomes
  • Inequality
JEL Classification:
  • I21
  • I28
  • J45

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Journal of Human Resources: 60 (3)
Journal of Human Resources
Vol. 60, Issue 3
1 May 2025
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Teacher Performance-Based Incentives and Learning Inequality
Deon Filmer, James Habyarimana, Shwetlena Sabarwal
Journal of Human Resources Oct 2023, 1120-11313R2; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.1120-11313R2

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Teacher Performance-Based Incentives and Learning Inequality
Deon Filmer, James Habyarimana, Shwetlena Sabarwal
Journal of Human Resources Oct 2023, 1120-11313R2; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.1120-11313R2
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Keywords

  • Student achievement
  • Teacher Incentives
  • Student Incentives
  • Learning outcomes
  • Inequality
  • I21
  • I28
  • J45
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