Merit Pay Incentive Categories & Awards

Merit pay incentives recognize qualifying educators for outstanding student growth, service in critical shortage areas, and mentorship of future teachers.

1. Demonstrating Outstanding Student Growth

Based on a teacher's three-year average student growth score

Teachers with the highest growth scores based on statewide summative assessments may be recognized in this category.

Ranking	Bonus Amount
Top 0.5%	$10,000
Top 1%	$9,000
Top 5%	$6,000
Top 25% in ELA, Math, or Science	$3,000

Note: Only one student growth bonus is awarded per teacher based on the highest eligible level.

2. Teaching in a Critical Shortage Area

Teachers who can fill critical shortage areas identified annually by DESE may be eligible for merit incentives in this category.

Type	Description	Bonus
Subject Shortage	Teaching Secondary Science, Foreign Language, Secondary Math, Middle School Science, Middle School Math, or Special Education	$2,500
Geographic Shortage	Arkansas River ESC, Great Rivers ESC, Pulaski Co. Schools, Southeast ESC, South Central ESC, Southwest ESC, and other districts identified as high need based on unlicensed teacher and attrition data	$1,500
Lead/Master Designation	Holding a Lead or Master Professional Educator License	$1,500

3. Mentoring Future Teachers

Teachers mentoring a year-long resident, as reported by the partnering Educator Preparation Program, may be eligible in this category.

Type	Description	Bonus
Experienced Mentor Teacher	Identified by an educator preparation program as serving as a mentor for a year-long resident in 2025. Basic eligibility requirements include holding a Lead or Master Licensure Designation and documented DESE-recognized coaching training in AELS.	$3,000

2026 Merit Pay Distribution Snapshot

Merit pay distributions for the 2026 award cycle include the following totals:

4,857

Recipients

$15,893,000

Total Bonuses

$19,492,764

Total Bonuses + Fringe

$3,272

Average Bonus Amount

877

Educators Receiving Bonuses of $5,000 or More