The High Cost of Low Teacher Salaries

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"I don't think teachers are greedy. I just think they like to complain. "

Teachers are among those with the lowest SAT scores.

Evidence? I graduated from high school in '88 with an SAT score of 1440 (out of 1600). Is that really among the lowest?
FWIW I will be spending my summer taking two, three-credit grad classes to fulfill certification requirements. True, we are reimbursed for a portion of the tuition, but that doesn't happen until after the completion of the course. Depending on where we take classes, the upfront costs can be as high as $1800 for a 3-credit class. Family vacation this summer? Ha! Absolutely, positively can not afford it!

[Anonymous]

Make becoming a teacher more rigorous, and you'll increase respect for teachers. Currently, the "best and brightest" don't go into teaching below the college level. That's because it's not a particularly exclusive path to becoming a teacher. It's like going into nursing versus becoming a doctor. In recent years, we've instituted the class of "physician's assistant", which has more prestige than R.N. Why? Because it's difficult to get the degree.

[Anonymous]

AngryTeacher wrote:I am aware of its many definitions. I prefer the second, however, from Merriam-Webster....

Oh, good heavens. What bargain-basement pedantry. Good stuff.

[Anonymous]

To the poster at 5:10...FWIW, the vast majority of teachers at our school hold degrees in fields other than teaching. Most of us hold Bachelors Degrees in our discipline (Chemistry, English, Psychology, Spanish, History, etc.) and have at least one Masters, usually, but not necessarily, in Education. Teaching is an extremely rigorous field to enter in the DC metro area, and our preparation for our careers is equally rigorous.

[Anonymous]

Having some experience with our local DCPS school, I think the single-minded focus on teachers is too narrow. The first thing we should do is purge 80% of the office staff. Just absolutely terrible, IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"I don't think teachers are greedy. I just think they like to complain. "

Teachers are among those with the lowest SAT scores.

Evidence? I graduated from high school in '88 with an SAT score of 1440 (out of 1600). Is that really among the lowest?
FWIW I will be spending my summer taking two, three-credit grad classes to fulfill certification requirements. True, we are reimbursed for a portion of the tuition, but that doesn't happen until after the completion of the course. Depending on where we take classes, the upfront costs can be as high as $1800 for a 3-credit class. Family vacation this summer? Ha! Absolutely, positively can not afford it!

You need to take Stats 101.

[Anonymous]

I graduated from high school in '88 with an SAT score of 1440 (out of 1600)

Your individual score is totally irrelevant to the PP's point that teachers as a group have avg SATs on the lower end. This is factual, even though of course there are people above the avg and below the avg.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I graduated from high school in '88 with an SAT score of 1440 (out of 1600)

Your individual score is totally irrelevant to the PP's point that teachers as a group have avg SATs on the lower end. This is factual, even though of course there are people above the avg and below the avg.

Tee hee.

[Anonymous]

From The National Council on Teacher Quality

http://www.nctq.org/nctq/images/nctq_io.pdf


Soft Attributes
Background
All of the teacher attributes discussed in this booklet can help inform state and district policies for both licensing and hiring teachers. But what about other characteristics good teachers need? Isn’t it more important that a teacher, for instance, be dedicated, energetic, and inspirational?
The answer is a resounding yes. In fact, measurable teacher attributes like SAT scores and experience account for only a small portion of why some teachers are more effective than others. Most of what makes a teacher effective are the “soft” personal attributes that are much harder to measure.

I'm sure we all know someone who tests well and would be considered extremely "book smart." This does not mean all of these individuals would also make effective classroom teachers. So many factors need to be considered when discussing the effectiveness of classroom teachers at any level.

[Anonymous]

As similarly noted by the PP, the SAT is ONE indicator of college success. It reveals nothing about other strengths or weaknesses of a student entering university.

How many college professors have you ever had who you cold tell knew their subject matter, but could not convey that knowledge to save their lives?

Teaching is extremely complex, and one must be able to juggle multiple constraints with finesse, grace and humility to be good at it.

What were the average SAT scores of the politicians who are making education policy? Scary thought, huh?

[AngryTeacher]

You're so right, PP.

b/c stats 101 is built into the K-12 curriculum across all content areas

an absolute MUST for elementary teachers and for those teaching the humanities

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"I don't think teachers are greedy. I just think they like to complain. "

Teachers are among those with the lowest SAT scores.

Evidence? I graduated from high school in '88 with an SAT score of 1440 (out of 1600). Is that really among the lowest?
FWIW I will be spending my summer taking two, three-credit grad classes to fulfill certification requirements. True, we are reimbursed for a portion of the tuition, but that doesn't happen until after the completion of the course. Depending on where we take classes, the upfront costs can be as high as $1800 for a 3-credit class. Family vacation this summer? Ha! Absolutely, positively can not afford it!

You need to take Stats 101.

[Anonymous]

I'd love to see some DCUM posters with high SAT scores spend a week or two teaching a group of 25 students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd love to see some DCUM posters with high SAT scores spend a week or two teaching a group of 25 students.

Me too!

How long do the Teach For America brainiacs last in the teaching profession? (Don't most leave after 3 years?)

[Anonymous]

How long do the Teach For America brainiacs last in the teaching profession? (Don't most leave after 3 years?)

Yes, the very moment their student loans are paid off from the government.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
From The National Council on Teacher Quality

http://www.nctq.org/nctq/images/nctq_io.pdf


Soft Attributes
Background
All of the teacher attributes discussed in this booklet can help inform state and district policies for both licensing and hiring teachers. But what about other characteristics good teachers need? Isn’t it more important that a teacher, for instance, be dedicated, energetic, and inspirational?
The answer is a resounding yes. In fact, measurable teacher attributes like SAT scores and experience account for only a small portion of why some teachers are more effective than others. Most of what makes a teacher effective are the “soft” personal attributes that are much harder to measure.

The irony drippeth.

I'm sure we all know someone who tests well and would be considered extremely "book smart." This does not mean all of these individuals would also make effective classroom teachers. So many factors need to be considered when discussing the effectiveness of classroom teachers at any level.