In Washington state we are about to give our teachers a 3.9% salary increase adjusted to the rate of inflation. While it is a good thing there is a safety net to ensure raises are coming at normal intervals, teachers are simply not being paid enough for the crucial work they do. They are asking for a 4.9% increase and I think it's the least we could do. Education is the backbone for thriving nations, and I believe that America is falling by the wayside. We need huge reforms across the board. New and better textbooks for every student, more computers, and lower student to teacher ratios are things we really need to push for. I mean schools should look like and feel like palaces, but we are obviously far away from that. It may seem these are too many things to tackle right now, with a slumping economy and war still raging, but an important first step is to pay teachers what they deserve. One problem is the somewhat negative stigma that comes with being a teacher. The low pay makes it hard to recruit the best and brightest minds. By significantly raising salaries for teachers we can create a strong pool of competitive candidates, and bring people in that would previously never consider teaching as a career. I think this is an important first step for the progression of our education system and hope it gets done.
Pay Teachers More
By A.J.84 - Posted on March 3rd, 2008
As a fellow faculty I can relate to a point!!!
As to the public school systems, especially toward the teacher's unions across this great land, I have too many issues with increases in pay. As a resident of Michigan I am always aware of the many "issues" that teachers have when they are forced to pay for portions of their benefits packages including health care and other perks. As a faculty member myself, and purely human, I too wish for more pay, but am cognitive enough to realize that with pay comes more responsibility, and that is something that many in my state (can't speak of yours) do not know the meaning of... pay is a form of motivation and incentive. Giving pay for nothing it nothing, and should not be used just because the teachers union said so. This rant has to do with the ability of parents, other teachers and the community the school resides in the abiltiy to hold the teachers accountable to their actions, specifically toward their assigned duties. If they are not doing the job, then fire them.... oops, cant because of the union... oh yeah the union which is demanding better pay, and dont you dare tell me I have to pay for SOME of my benefits... that is my right. (as a small-business owner, previous white and blue collar worker, ANY benefit is not a right... its the employers willingness to provide, and the employees ability to either accept or decline this 'gifts'.). Do the teachers deserve a raise? I cant say for the state of Washington, but I can certainly say as a resident of Michigan... NO... not until you manage your 'business' better...
The history of the United States with regards to 'educational reform' is the biggest business related joke in the world. Its the only free-ride that has clearly shown that there has been NO benefit. History has proven that every year that schools ask for more money, there are no benefits to the continual increase in my taxes and levels of education seen.
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"Can you imagine what I would do if I could do all I can?” (Sun Tzu)
I agree that raising pay would lure more people to the profession, and that competition will make the field stronger. The problem is tenure. We can't get rid of the bad teachers because they can't be fired, unless they do something majorly stupid or illegal. Then again, without tenure, teachers could be fired for being too liberal in a conservative town, or for being seen at a restaurant with a glass of wine, or for being gay, or for any numberr of unjust reasons. People get really emotional when their kids are involved.
It's difficult to apply free-market principles to a socialized system.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman