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Friday, May 2, 2008
Will higher pay bring better teachers?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Budget discussions in DeKalb County could cost teachers their step salary increases based on years of experience. All DeKalb school employees would get a 2.5 percent raise, but teachers wouldn’t get additional step increases.
DeKalb teachers are fighting to keep that money. They say school districts that pay more, have better teachers. Is that true?
Money may get teachers in the classroom, but it won’t keep them there.
Studies show about one-third of new teachers leave the profession after three years. Surveys show teachers want more than money. They want good training, support from mentors, a setting with fewer discipline problems and the freedom to teach creatively.
Reality is, everyone is looking for good teachers. Georgia will need to hire about 90,000 teachers over the next six years to replace those who retire and keep up with growing enrollment, according to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.
Will schools get better teachers if they pay them more? If not, how do school leaders make sure they get the best?
