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Sunday, September 20, 2015

Support for Higher Teacher Pay Drops When People Hear What Teachers Earn

(CNSNews) – Americans consistently underestimate how much is spent annually to educate children in the nation’s public schools, including how much teachers are being paid.

But when they are told the actual amount, the percentage of the public that supports increasing teacher salaries drops from about two-thirds (63 percent) to less than half (45 percent), according the ninth annual Education Next poll.

“When the public is informed of teacher salaries, support for increasing salaries declines,” the EdNext poll found. “Support drops even further when the public is reminded that an increase would be funded by tax dollars.”

The poll was conducted in May and June by Professors Paul Peterson and Martin West of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

“People estimate that their local school districts spent $6,307 per child when we know from U.S. Department of Education statistics that it’s actually twice that” – or an average of $12,440 per child, Peterson told CNSNews.

More here

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

What the general public fails to realize is that union dues and fees come out of that pay (to support the dumbocrat party) - so the teacher actually makes a bit less than the published salary figure.

The other issue is the administration costs are enormous....paying for a billion secretaries, counselors, security, and nurses - not to mention everyone's lunches and dinners.....the education system could pay better if it wasn't burdened by so many freeloaders at the trough!

Anonymous said...

I would love to get paid what they do for as little time they actually have to work and be there. Nice 6 or 7 hour day, weekends, summer, and holidays off, excellent insurance, paid leave..

Anonymous said...

12:41 You can. Just go to school, get your 4 year degree and then pass the certification to be a teacher.

Anonymous said...

12:40 and 12:41 you don't have a clue.

Anonymous said...

My kid just signed up for a program that gives extra work and will graduate in January. Her teacher dosent challenge her enough. My daughter gets yelled at for doing other things when she's completed her work quickly. Turns out that several of this teachers students have been enrolled in this program. Teachers nowdays don't push the students.

Anonymous said...

Today at a local school - a second grader threw chairs, tossed his desk and pushed another student. The other children were removed from the classroom until the situation was controlled. In another room, a teacher was being told to "F--- off" because the teacher had asked a student to sign out before going to the bathroom. This new policy was put in place when the fourth grade bathroom had feces spread over the walls during the first week of school. There was a line of students standing outside of the nurse's office. They were waiting for head checks because a member of the class has head lice. Sadly this students has two siblings, which means that two more classes must have head checks. One student is late for the head check because he is in the school councilor's office talking about how he feels about living in a shelter. This is before lunch. During lunch an instructional assistant buys lunch for a student. This student could have a free lunch but his parent has not returned the form. He would be given a cheese sandwich but he is so embarrassed that he would rather not eat. During her lunch, a teacher is speaking to social service because a student has come to school with what appears to be cigarette burns. The afternoon has just started.

Anonymous said...

12:40 did I read your comment correctly, Secretaries, counsellors, security and nurses are freeloaders?

Anonymous said...

Would love to have you come and volunteer in any classroom for day and then state your opinions.

Anonymous said...

Wow. I guess your a teacher. No wonder the kids aren't learning. Your spending your time other business. Focus on your job/class and nothing else. That's the problem. Schools are like social clubs for adults anymore.

Anonymous said...

The education system pays enough. No.... More than enough for the product that's turned out. It's disgusting .

Anonymous said...

Most male teachers are Pedophiles just waiting to pounce.

Anonymous said...

There was a popular song by Joe South in the 1970's entitled "Walk a Mile in My Shoes" that really describes the issue. None of us can imagine what a day at work is like in another's profession without experiencing it themselves. The folks that are upset with teachers would probably also find fault in the work done by plumbers, doctors, bloggers, truck drivers, or whomever. Its simply a case of everyone feeling under appreciated for the job they do. Its human nature, I guess. Let's just appreciate all of the people in any profession who give it their best everyday.

Anonymous said...

With your depth of knowledge, 6:53, name names!

Anonymous said...

I have. And I can tell you that no elementary school teacher deserves over 35 k a year. I don't care what piece of paper they have.

Anonymous said...

Here we go! I know alot of people with papers that say they can do a job but their work is worthless. Just because you went to school for four years and got a PIECE OF PAPER doesn't mean your worth a damn.

Anonymous said...

Seems like more women in the news to me.

Anonymous said...

@9:45 No it doesn't but it means you get paid more. Sounds like education wasn't your thing.

Anonymous said...

People have been saying it for decades. Teachers make a very,very, lucrative paycheck. But they ALWAYS cry they don't make any money. Wasn't several months ago the wicomic county BOE had tried or succeeded in giving raises because they don't make much. Poor babies. I guess high 5 figures isn't enough in this county.

Anonymous said...

Teacher's blaming everyone but themselves. You ALL have stood by and watched policy after policy being implemented but you didn't care because you ALLWERE getting more money. Now two decades later the policies are a disaster and your union is even worse. Live by the sword die by the sword. The unions motto: Those who do, DO those who can't TEACH!! Maybe. But now you ALL get paid to baby sit. You all love kids right??? Hahaha

Anonymous said...

Hey, I want a raise too. 1100 a month just doesn't get it done. I got a piece of paper too. It's called a social security card. Unlike teachers, I actually paid for mine, not some taxpayers. And they still take part out for insurance and whatever else. I used to think teaching was a noble profession, not anymore. It's just a job to most of you now and all you want is a paycheck.

Anonymous said...

I don't understand how anyone can say teachers are overpaid when we have so few qualified applicants. What concerns me far more is the lack of accountability the teachers enjoy for job performance. Well paid teachers are an excellent investment but only if you change the tenure laws, get rid of the teacher's unions and base pay on performance.