The single salary schedule has been the dominant form of compensation for teachers across the world for over half a century. Based on degrees earned and years of experience, the single salary schedule provides a secure salary with small annual increases for remaining on the job, regardless of the quality of the teacher’s performance. Differences in salary levels have been negotiated with trade unions at the national, regional and local levels but they have generally affected the level of pay rather than the structure. In many countries, the teacher unions have been instrumental in maintaining the single salary schedule, with a few salary incentives, but no recognition for performance-based pay or incentives for those working in schools serving disadvantaged students. In Ireland, for example (Sclafani and Tucker, 2006), assuming additional responsibilities such as teaching the Irish language or working in remote locations, are the only acceptable reasons for teachers to receive additional pay.