Incentive Programs and
Insurance Product Features
Horace Mann Educator Advisory Panel
November 2008
Incentive Programs and Insurance Product Features
SUMMARY
In November 2008, around 900 educators responded to the latest Horace Mann Educator Advisory
Panel survey.
 When asked about the recent presidential election, 53% of educators reported that they felt the results of
the election would be positive or very positive on education and their classrooms. In contrast, only 42% felt
that the election results would be positive or very positive on the economy and their pocketbooks.
 When asked to evaluate different programs that a business could sponsor for a school, educators
preferred incentive programs for students over programs designed for teachers. Given a choice of
program alternatives, the majority of educators preferred grade improvement to be the basis for a student
program and collaboration or teaming to be the basis for a teacher program.
 In their comments, many educators noted a preference for student programs that took a number of
different criteria into account, instead of just focusing on a single criteria. Effort, citizenship and
character were mentioned as potential student program criteria in addition to grades and attendance.
 Regarding teacher programs, innovation and creativity was mentioned by a number of educators as
a potential teacher program criteria in addition to collaboration and pupil achievement. However, a
vocal minority of educators clearly were opposed to these types of programs for teachers. Their
concerns included morale issues stemming from any type of competition between teachers.
 When asked to evaluate possible extra coverage features that could be added to a homeowners insurance
policy, Home System Mechanical Breakdown coverage and Expanded Computer, A/V and Personal
Property coverage were clearly preferred over coverage for Tutoring Liability or the Loss of School
Fundraising Cash.
2
Reactions To Presidential Election Results
The results of the Presidential Election are
in, given who won, would you say that this is a
positive or a negative for your classroom
and education?
N=958
4%
8%
10%
22%
Very Positive
Positive
Neutral
Negative
Very Negative
Not Sure DK
24%
31%
The results of the Presidential Election are
in, given who won, would you say that this is
a positive or a negative for your
pocketbook and the economy?
N=946
12%
16%
10%
26%
15%
21%
Very Positive
Positive
Neutral
Negative
Very Negative
Not Sure DK
3
Rankings of Incentive Programs for Schools
Please rank the following contests and awards that could be sponsored for
your school by a local business according to how valuable and worthwhile
N=895
you feel they would be.
Most improved academic
40%
performance contest for students
32%
students
Teacher of the month program
Most Collaborative Teacher Award
Fourth Rank (Least Worthwhile)
30%
14%
24%
22%
33%
29%
Teacher of the Month Program: A certificate and $125 cash prize for the teacher selected
by peers each month as being the best at the school __________
11%
Third Rank
15%
Bicycles for Perfect Attendance: Students with perfect attendance for the term would be entered into
a drawing for one of ten new bicycles. (Elementary and middle school prizes would be
bicycles, substitute high school prizes could be electronics, such as IPODs) __________
16%
Second Rank
16%
Most Improved Academic Champions: Trophies and $50 gift certificates for the 20
students with the greatest change in GPA between terms __________
Bicycles for perfect attendance for
Top Rank (Most Worthwhile)
29%
20%
37%
33%
Most Collaborative Teacher Award: A trophy and $1000 cash prize for the teacher judged
to be the most collaborative and helpful to others by a group of their peers __________
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
When asked to rank order four possible incentive programs,
two student programs were ranked higher than two programs
for teachers. Improved academic performance was ranked
higher than attendance as a basis for a student program.
4
Student Versus Teacher Programs
If $1000 were available to fund a program or
contest, such as the ones noted above, would
you rather that the program be targeted
towards students or towards teachers?
Students
Teachers
Not Sure /
Educators preferred student-based
programs four times as frequently
as teacher-based programs. Grade
improvement for students and
collaboration for teachers were the
most preferred program types.
N=911
27%
15%
58%
Depends
If a contest were designed for
students at your school, what would
you prefer it to be based on?
If a contest were designed for teachers
at your school, what would you prefer it
to be based on?
Improvement in Grades
Attendance
20%
16%
Other
12%
0%
6%
Not Sure / DK
13%
Other
12%
Teacher attendance
7%
Not Sure / Depends
57%
Pupil achievement
13%
Absolute Grades
N=912
Collaboration / Teaming
56%
40%
60%
N=911
-20%
8%
0%
20%
40%
60%
5
105 educators commented on other student programs
77 educators commented on other teacher programs
Teacher & Student Programs
“Other Specify” Responses Regarding Student and Teacher Programs
“Other” Student Programs Noted
% of
Educat
ors
Combinations of Program Types (42% of Comments)
Attendance + Grade + Grade Improvement
Grade + Grade Improvement
Attendance + Grade Improvement
Academics + Behavior + Citizenship
Attitude + Responsibility + Performance
Attendance + Grades
Grades + Attendance + Citizenship
Effort + Behavior + Attitude
Improvement + Character
“Other” Teacher Programs Noted
% of
Educat
ors
Suggested Program Criteria (45% of Comments)
15.2%
10.5%
10.5%
5.7%
4.8%
2.9%
2.9%
0.9%
0.9%
Non-Academic-Based Programs (30% of Comments)
Innovation / Creativity
Collaboration + Pupil Achievement + Teacher Attendance
Meeting individual student needs
Professional or character development
Student engagement / impact on students
Leadership, involvement, extra effort
Support for students
Student opinions, student vote decides
Faculty, peer vote decides
11.7%
11.7%
6.5%
6.5%
5.2%
5.2%
3.9%
2.6%
2.6%
Class test scores
1.3%
Student improvement, not highest grades
Pupil achievement + Teacher Collaboration
1.3%
1.3%
Effort
Citizenship, Community Service, Volunteerism
16.2%
7.6%
Character (Honest, Effort, Respect, etc.)
6.7%
Behavior (Lack of disciplinary issues, Good Behaviors)
4.8%
Teacher Contests are inappropriate / bad for morale
14.3%
Improvement in Attitudes
2.9%
Should not single out teachers, recognize all teachers
11.7%
Dislike any competition between teachers
10.4%
Use money for school or classroom needs instead
Use money for professional development or tech instead
Team building awards would be better
7.8%
2.6%
1.3%
Tailored or Other Criteria (12% of Comments)
Tailored Improvement Targets
Improved skills, not grades
Test Scores
3.8%
3.8%
2.9%
Special Needs Students showing effort
2.9%
Students that overcome obstacles
1.9%
Other Comments (18% of Comments)
Dislike Teacher-Based Programs (36% of Comments)
Dislike Criteria for Programs (19% of Comments)
None of the above
13.0%
All criteria are too subjective
6.5%
Don’t Overlook “A” students in program design
7.6%
Too hard to judge collaboration between teachers
2.6%
Prefer multiple separate programs over a combined program
7.6%
Hard to judge learning, test scores are inappropriate
1.3%
Better to have smaller, more frequent prizes for more students
Other Comments
1.9%
5.7%
Should not reward based on student performance
1.3%
6
314 educators commented
465 comments were given
Suggestions for Contests or Programs
What suggestions do you have for a contest or program like the ones noted above? Please
describe any ideas you may have for a program that would be effective at your school.
Suggested Contests/Programs
% of
Educat
ors
Student-Based Programs (41% of Comments)
Attendance Programs needed, effective
Citizenship / Community Service
Behavioral , Behavior Improvement
Grade Improvement
Achievement on Grades and Tests
Character, Attitudes, Manners, Responsibility
Student Effort
Reading Skills Program
Honor Roll and/or Minimum Grade Levels
Other academic/learning programs (math, writing)
Peer Tutoring / Peer Role Models
Misc. : Diversity, Bullying, Safe Driving, Life Skills
Homework Completion Programs
Physical Exercise Programs
Environment, Recycling, Energy Conservation
Tardiness Reduction Programs
8.0%
7.0%
6.7%
6.7%
5.4%
5.4%
3.5%
3.2%
2.9%
2.9%
2.2%
2.2%
1.9%
1.3%
1.0%
0.6%
Teacher-Based Programs (27% of Comments)
No teacher programs or competition / Reward all teachers
Teamwork / Collaboration
Availability to students / After hours / Extra hours
Teacher extra effort
Creativity / Innovation
General “Best” /Outstanding Teacher Award
Impact on students, meeting student needs
6.1%
4.9%
4.1%
3.8%
3.8%
2.9%
2.5%
Suggested Contests/Programs
Pupil achievement, learning climate
Best classroom project ideas
Criteria based on both teacher and students
Criteria based on whole school activity
Not just based on student grades
Teacher attendance
Other Teacher ideas
% of
Educat
ors
2.2%
2.2%
1.6%
1.3%
1.3%
1.0%
2.9%
Program Rewards/Incentives (20% Comments)
Special field trips
Teacher continuing education, prof. development
Specifics: Music, I-Pod, Bike, Car Drawing, T-Shirts
Teacher gifts, massages, time off
Smaller prizes for all qualifiers, not drawing winners
Classroom supplies, books
More frequent winners, shorter time periods
Prize for whole class / entire school
Teacher stipend for extra hours, tutoring program
Grants for class projects
More teachers to attend Lincoln Fellowship
Other Rewards
4.1%
2.5%
2.5%
2.2%
2.2%
2.2%
1.9%
1.9%
1.9%
1.6%
1.3%
5.8%
Other Comments (11% of Comments)
Parental Involvement Programs Needed
Use money for other purposes instead of program
Dislike contests like these
Don’t call it a “contest” , bad connotations
6.7%
4.8%
4.5%
1.0%
7
Product Features: Likely to Purchase
Please indicate how much more likely you would be to purchase a homeowners
insurance policy from a company if the policy included each of the following
coverage features.
Home System Mechanical
21%
Breakdown
Expanded Computer A/V
15%
Pers Prop Coverage
Loss of Fundraising Cash
Tutoring Liability
6%
Much More Likely
More Likely
32%
26%
8%
4% 8%
0%
N=884
27%
33%
19%
21%
20%
Somewhat More
40%
14%
19%
42%
25%
42%
26%
60%
No More Likely
Almost half of the educators (48%) reported that they would be more
likely or much more likely to purchase a homeowners insurance product
if it contained home system mechanical breakdown coverage.
80%
7%
7%
100%
Less Likely
8
Product Feature Choice Tasks: Utility Values
Average Utilities For Each Product Feature Option
Expanded Computer A/V Pers Prop
0.562
Home System Mechanical Breakdown
0.503
Loss of School Fundraising Cash
0.158
Tutoring Liability
Average Utilities
represent the
perceived value of
each product
feature to
educators.
0.139
$25 Price
0.431
$50 Price
0.357
$75 Price
0.294
$100 Price
0.242
$500 Deductible
N=880
0.227
$250 Deductible
0.308
$100 Deductible
N=865
0.407
$25 Deductible
0.355
0.00
0.20
0.40
Expanded Computer & A/V coverage and Home System Mechanical Breakdown coverage were
the two product features deemed to be the most valuable to educators, with both being over
three times as important as the other two coverage features. Both Price and Deductible
demonstrated linear relationships with value, (with the exception of the $25 deductible which was
a fixed characteristic whenever Expanded Computer A/V and Fundraising Cash were shown).
0.60
9