A practice recomendation for using economic policy tools to improve teacher performance

The aim of this research is to create a model framework with performance indicators on how to implement performance-based payment policies that can be used in the Turkish education system. In the research, basic qualitative research design, which is one of the qualitative research methods, was used in order to learn the views of the participants on the subject and to examine them in depth. The study group of the research consists of 38 participants, 16 school administrators and 22 teachers from different branches, working in secondary and high schools in Gaziantep in the 2018-2019 academic year. Maximum variation sampling method, which is one of the purposive sampling methods, was used in the research. Data were collected through focus group interviews and individual interviews using semi-structured interview forms and analyzed by content analysis. Based on the research findings, it is understood that most of the teachers and administrators have a positive perspective on the performance evaluation process, provided that teacher performance evaluation policies are applied in a democratic way. On the other hand, some participants suggested that teachers working under current conditions would have difficulty accepting the performance evaluation system and might resist this issue. In addition to these findings, the participants stated that the authorities who would implement this system should be experts in their fields so that teachers would not experience any difficulties. In addition, the participants were asked for their opinions on the criteria and tools that can be used in the evaluation of teacher performance, considering the current state of the Turkish education system. In the light of the information obtained as a result of all these researches, a model recommendation has been created with performance indicators on how to implement performance-based payment policies that can be used in the Turkish education system.