basic question: why are private teachers paid less than public?

[Anonymous]

It doesn't make sense to me... or maybe the better question is why are private schools better (often) even though they have less qualified (presumably) teachers?

[Anonymous]

Bc they don’t have a union to lineback their mafioso demands

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It doesn't make sense to me... or maybe the better question is why are private schools better (often) even though they have less qualified (presumably) teachers?

Because the biggest influence in a student's academic success after home life is their peer group. In private school, you are paying for a peer group with similarly invested families.

[Anonymous]

Private school teachers often don’t have to meet the same standards as public school teachers (don’t need the same credentials or certifications). Private schools can control the student body and keep out students who pose problems. Public schools can’t. Also private schools naturally keep lots of kids away just bc many can’t afford it. That is why private schools are often better than public. It’s not bc of the teachers, it’s because of the students.

[Anonymous]

I can’t believe that you don’t understand. When schools get to choose their student populations (private), the children will be able to soar higher with less effort. Add kids with poverty, ESL, gangs, special needs, larger class sizes etc and you do not have a level playing field.

In addition, parents choosing private school understand that making school a top priority is important. That is not always the case in public schools.

So little has to do with the teachers.

[Anonymous]

They work under less extenuating circumstances.

20-30% less students in the classroom.
Less hours - private school teachers aren't expected to run study and after-school programs. outside of their core focus
There's more active support from specialist teachers and administrators - the Maret school for instance has scheduled meetings with academic advisors for all students weekly

https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1593637123/maret/wzjwmjkjlegagkytl4ns/LS_COL_G3.pdf

[Anonymous]

OP here. I should have clarified I was not raised in a US system and my kids aren't in one, either.

In my home country and places I've lived most of the kids go to private school. But the most expensive ones are usually the best, in part because they pay their teachers the most.

[Anonymous]

Because they’re not unionized.

[Anonymous]

It's an easier job generally, so you have to pay less to attract quality applicants. People who can do both will take the pay cut for easier work and people who aren't as good at teaching can do better in a private school.

My parents both taught; for my dad it was a second career, and he wasn't very good at it. His classroom management was bad and he struggled. He switched to a private school (a cheap Christian school in a small southern town, but what most people on DCUM mean by private), and he got a lot better. The kids were better behaved generally and if they misbehaved they got kicked out. Suddenly his classroom management skills weren't as much of a problem.

[Anonymous]

Thank you. ^ this is my whole point. It's so strange that a school that people pay so much more money for pays so little to teachers ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bc they don’t have a union to lineback their mafioso demands

LOL like safe working conditions and a living wage. The horror!

[Anonymous]

They aren't qualified to teach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I should have clarified I was not raised in a US system and my kids aren't in one, either.

In my home country and places I've lived most of the kids go to private school. But the most expensive ones are usually the best, in part because they pay their teachers the most.

In other counties, kids with significant special needs or behavioral issues are in a different school. In the US, they are all together. Private schools can control it a bit but public school teachers need to deal with getting stabbed with scissors and things like that. So private school teachers accept a lower pay to not need to deal with that.

[Anonymous]

Because they don't have to meet the same standards in some cases. I never had a science teacher who actually majored in the field they were teaching.

In others, not having to deal with the discipline problems and the ease of kicking kids out is a plus. No kid is required to have a private school education, so they can reject any kids with learning or behavior issues.

-private school graduate

[Anonymous]

Private school parents don’t want to pay the levels of tuition necessary to pay teachers as much as public school teachers earn