Reelika Irs successfully defended her Ph.D dissertation

Reelika Irs successfully defended her Ph.D thesis Teacher performance appraisal and remuneration aspects of performance management on the example of Estonian general educational schools onJune 19, 2012. Supervisor: Professor Kulno Türk (PhD), University of Tartu Consultant: Associated Professor Kaia Philips (PhD), University of Tartu Opponents: Professor Iiris Aaltio (PhD), University of Jyväskylä Professor Milvi Tepp (PhD), Tallinn University of Technology This dissertation aims to provide proposals for developing a teacher performance appraisal and remuneration aspects of performance management using the example of Estonian general educational schools. The development of performance management tool is assumed in order to design and implement teacher performance appraisal and performance-related pay systems. As a result of this dissertation, critical aspects in designing both performance appraisal and performance-related pay are pointed out and recommendations are made for selecting appropriate criteria. In total, 2,165 teachers and 298 headmasters of Estonian general educational schools participated in this study. Additional case studies were conducted in three general educational schools. The present study provided evidence that in order to employ new management practices more smoothly, aspects of school management should be taken into consideration. For example, the study showed that well-organised strategic management, resource management and organisational culture are important in performance appraisal and performance-related pay design, as it helps develop awareness, positive opinions and intention to adopt. Teacher performance management should be aimed at the balanced development of the school, and therefore, teacher performance appraisal and performance-related pay should combine criteria related to the learning process, the learning environment and school management. Teacher performance-related pay helps develop and improve teachers' performance both as individuals and in teams and guarantees teacher development in accordance with school objectives.