Should schools pay higher salaries for math and science teachers?
It's hard to say where our schools are weakest, but math and science may be the top candidates.
Not surprisingly, math and science teachers are in short supply.
It was shocking to hear Erskine Bowles report recently that the entire UNC system -- 16 campuses -- has produced exactly three physics teachers in the last four years.
Given that people with the skills to teach these critical subjects -- where we're getting clobbered by Asian countries -- are so badly needed, wouldn't it make sense to offer higher salaries?
Why do our schools pay a physics teacher the same as a physical education teacher?
No offense to P.E. teachers. Or art, or social studies.
That's not the way the private sector works.
If someone who has a degree in physics, or chemistry, or biology or math can earn twice as much in the private sector as someone who has a degree in P.E., why do public schools offer the same salary?
Comments (8)
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Doug,
I have a Masters in Engineering. Not only is the private sector's salary range much, much higher than that of public school teachers, but I have respect from my upper management.
It's not just the money, I could never work for someone like the GCS superintendent.
Posted on March 9, 2006 12:04 PM
I have an MS in engineering, too, and I have some experience with teaching and tutoring in high school. I agree with both of Numbersgame's points, but I would put the management issue above the salary issue.
Posted on March 9, 2006 12:50 PM
I agree classrooms must be orderly and all teachers must be treated with respect. All things being equal, are differentiated salaries possible? Would they help?
Also, this idea would apply statewide, not just to GCS.
Posted on March 9, 2006 2:00 PM
Doug,
I can't tell you why the salaries are the same in high schools. I can tell you that they aren't the same in colleges,universities, and the private sector. Experience, degree, work history, etc. are all taken into consideration at post high school levels. Why is this not done at the high school level? Excellent question. Maybe you need to ask Dr. Grier.
Would differentiated salaries be possible? If I were a teacher, I would want to be paid for my experience and performance. Let's ask the teachers.
Are you out there, teachers?
MD
Posted on March 9, 2006 3:03 PM
I think Grier should pay Physics teachers in Greensboro more money, but not in High Point.
Posted on March 9, 2006 4:08 PM
Hey 2 cents, are you saying that the laws of Physics to not apply to High Point?
Is that because it is located on the highest point of the Southern Railway or because the only laws that apply in High Point are devised by Dot Kearns?
Posted on March 9, 2006 4:41 PM
Albert, I'm just saying that High Point is a different kind of town, that's all. No explanation is needed.
Posted on March 9, 2006 8:32 PM
Doug, I have been in education all of my life ( elementary school and university) because I sincerely believe that a person’s elementary school education determines his success during the rest of his life. But I have to admit the old adage: “He who can does; he who can’t teaches. “ is sooooo true. At the university a good 1/3 of my students were in the education classes because they flunked out of their first chosen field, and usually ended up as coaches or administrators. Another 1/3 of my students were there due to Mom and Dad’s insistence so they took what they thought were the easiest courses possible and usually ended up being engaged and/or married by graduation. That leaves only 1/3 who might possibly make good, dedicated teachers. These few chose teaching as a career in the first place because they are people oriented with interests that lean more towards the social areas of study, not the sciences or math. There you have it in a nut shell, and consequently there was a shortage of science and math teachers 50 years ago, and there is a shortage now. By all means pay math and sciences teacher more. I don’t think the NEA will allow it, but it is the only way to get these people in our schools. The other way is to actively recruit older and retired people in these fields who have been successful and no longer need a great deal of money.
Posted on March 10, 2006 11:42 AM