No matter which hourly figure one promotes, it's an attempt to slant public opinion. Look at the figure for the annual contract, and then decide if it's worth it to take on a task thta is virtually impossible to accimplosh.
The real problem isn't teacher salaries... it's the fact that the wage scale is based on time, instead of merit.
The real problem isn't that teachers aren't doing a good job... it's that bad teachers are virtually impossible to remove from the classroom.
The real problem isn't that teachers don't teach the basics... it's that they're required to teach towards standardized tests.
The real problem isn't that teachers are underperforming professionals... it's that they're the lowest-paid professionals with the lowest authority to direct their own efforts (which also does nothing to draw higher-qualified folk who are making far more in the "real world").
(It figures that I'd have typos in the last sentence that I add to the post! Dagnabbit!!)
I can agree with all points except the last one. Excellent teachers claim that ...well, teachers are excellent. And some are, but TOO FEW.
I have to disagree with a blanket statement on that.
However, i don't agree that teachers are the main problem, not at all. It's that cursed NEA and top heavy admin. grrrrr
Uh, did you read the article? It would appear that teachers are not anywhere close to the 'lowest-paid professionals'.
I can agree with every point except the last point. I've been an RN for 18 years, and am still several dollars/hour away from $34/hour.
The real problem isn't teacher salaries... it's the fact that the wage scale is based on time, instead of merit.
The real problem isn't that teachers aren't doing a good job... it's that bad teachers are virtually impossible to remove from the classroom.
The real problem isn't that teachers don't teach the basics... it's that they're required to teach towards standardized tests.
The real problem isn't that teachers are underperforming professionals... it's that they're the lowest-paid professionals with the lowest authority to direct their own efforts (which also does nothing to draw higher-qualified folk who are making far more in the "real world").
You forgot to add the problems with over-paid administrators and just lots of over-head in general.
In California, we also have all sorts of bond money going to "fix" the schools. Our district spent tons of money fixing up my daughters old school: painting it, putting in new carpet, putting in a new black top, and putting in a new play ground. They used that school for another year, an closed it.
There was a middle school in our district that they spent money on putting in wireless connections so that all of the students could have laptop computers. They painted it, put in new carpet, and spent millions on this school to "fix it up". They closed it after a year, and then they spent $10 million to convert it into an elementary school.
I don't think teacher salaries are the problems. I think school administration is a big huge problem.
The real problem I see is the attitude of LOTS of people, teachers of course included.