Source: The Atlantic
In the last two decades, teacher salaries have suffered steadily despite an increase in qualifications and demands by government. In 2015 teachers made $30 less than they did in 1996. While not drastic, salary decreases reflect an important change in the education system and teaching experience today.
A new report by the Economic Policy Institute highlighted a need for better wages and benefits to attract and retain new teachers, since the number of teachers leaving their jobs is quickly growing. The report noted that most teachers make significantly less than other college-educated workers, who are making almost double.
Moreover, Latino and black teachers have the highest turnover rate because they are more likely serving underprivileged, poor communities and have to deal with social and health issues in addition to teaching. Aside from low salaries, teachers are leaving the occupation because of a lack of support, demonization by the media, and an imbalance of work and life.
As reported by the Atlantic, many teachers have left the job because the support system is weak in administration, politics, and the community, and the endless hours of devotion with low pay are often met with more demands, few resources and students who are simply struggling to tackle to opportunity gap.
“There are more reasons to leave…than there are to stay,” one former teacher said, as reported by The Atlantic.
Read full story at: The Atlantic