Most in Ed. Dept. Are Paid Bonuses for Performance

The U.S. Department of Education gave more than $5.7 million last year in bonuses to its employees, including a student-aid official who got $71,250.

In the 2003 calendar year, more than 75 percent of the department’s employees received bonuses, with political appointees among the recipients.

Each year, the department gives some employees cash awards on top of annual raises, a practice that spans federal agencies. While officials say bonuses are a way to reward performance and help lure employees from the private sector, critics say the practice smacks of favoritism and isn’t...