Hi Cost of Lo Teecher Pay

[Bob]

The High Cost of Low Teacher Salaries - NYTimes.com The High Cost of Low Teacher Salaries
By DAVE EGGERS and NÍNIVE CLEMENTS CALEGARI
Published: April 30, 2011 WHEN we don’t get the results we want in our military endeavors, we don’t blame the soldiers. We don’t say, “It’s these lazy soldiers and their bloated benefits plans! That’s why we haven’t done better in Afghanistan!” No, if the results aren’t there, we blame the planners. We blame the generals, the secretary of defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff. No one contemplates blaming the men and women fighting every day in the trenches for little pay and scant recognition.

And yet in education we do just that. When we don’t like the way our students score on international standardized tests, we blame the teachers. When we don’t like the way particular schools perform, we blame the teachers and restrict their resources.

Compare this with our approach to our military: when results on the ground are not what we hoped, we think of ways to better support soldiers. We try to give them better tools, better weapons, better protection, better training. And when recruiting is down, we offer incentives.

We have a rare chance now, with many teachers near retirement, to prove we’re serious about education. The first step is to make the teaching profession more attractive to college graduates. This will take some doing.

At the moment, the average teacher’s pay is on par with that of a toll taker or bartender. Teachers make 14 percent less than professionals in other occupations that require similar levels of education. In real terms, teachers’ salaries have declined for 30 years. The average starting salary is $39,000; the average ending salary — after 25 years in the profession — is $67,000. This prices teachers out of home ownership in 32 metropolitan areas, and makes raising a family on one salary near impossible. teabaggers, how do you spell "bite my arse"?

 

[30ashopper]

At the moment, the average teacher’s pay is on par with that of a toll taker or bartender. Teachers make 14 percent less than professionals in other occupations that require similar levels of education. In real terms, teachers’ salaries have declined for 30 years. The average starting salary is $39,000; the average ending salary — after 25 years in the profession — is $67,000. This prices teachers out of home ownership in 32 metropolitan areas, and makes raising a family on one salary near impossible.

Quoting average salary numbers without taking into account benefits is disingenuous. Educators receive a significant portion of their income through deferred payments via contracts negotiated by their representatives. This arrangement was their choice.

I would love to see education salaries rise assuming civil service employees are willing to give up the defined benefit retirement programs that are bankrupting states across the country. Over time that would free up quite a bit of funding.

As far as spending on tools and infrastructure, in this state we spend a great deal on this. Last year the state government provided around 22 billion dollars out of a 70 billion dollar budget for education. If you want to see more spent, so be it, but first offer up either another area the funds should be taken from, or alternatively a new source of revenue.

 

[scooterbug44]

Don't students = soldiers and teachers/administration = generals etc?

So to improve test scores, we must look for ways to help the students, and blame the officers/planners.

 

[Andy A]

Don't students = soldiers and teachers/administration = generals etc?

So to improve test scores, we must look for ways to help the students, and blame the officers/planners.

Exactly. We tend to blame everyone except the students. The only time students perfom really well is when they are motivated. They are all motivated by different things, as a rule. A good teacher is one that creates that motivation in their students.

 

[Bob]

your powers of reason are unbelievable.

 

[Bob]

We wish we could reward all of your hard work with better news. Unfortunately the Florida Legislature has eliminated all funding for the bonuses for National Board Certified Teachers. As a consequence, you will not receive a bonus next year. This occurred despite our best efforts, the daily work of our representatives in Tallahassee, and your individual contact with legislators.



I know that this is demoralizing and that it may make you angry. I hope you will remember that this was not the decision of the National Board. It was not even the wish of some members of the Legislature. It was a result of the truly awful economic situation in the state and a lack of understanding among some of the policymakers of the value National Board Certification.



There is much darkness in this news, but there is also a glimmer of light. The language of the Dale Hickam Excellent Teaching Act remains intact. This means that there is a place in statute to which we can return next year to ask for reinstatement of funding.

This today in an email to the states teachers who had the personal time and fortitude to become national board certified teachers. the message? screw you!

 

[30ashopper]

I know quite a few folks who either didin't get a raise or bonus over the last year or so, and I know a few folks who were layed off and are now working at the corner store making ends meat. Tough times suck but they don't last forever. Best to keep your chin up and look forward to better times.

 

[scooterbug44]

I read it a little differently - "unfortunately we can't give you a bonus this year, we tried really hard, we know this is upsetting/may anger you, and we hope we can manage it next year."

Many people have heard stuff like that in recent years. Many heard a similar phrase as they were being laid off and instead of a bonus next year were hoping to get hired back.

I think it would be great if we could give them bonuses. I also think it would be great if more people had jobs and our state didn't have massive budget issues.