Comments on: Economic Theory in Teacher Salaries: Why the ProComp Negotiations Matter http://www.quickanded.com/2008/07/economic-thoery-in-teacher-salaries-why.html The Quick and the Ed is an education blog published by Education Sector, an independent think tank in Washington D.C. The Quick and the Ed offers in-depth analysis on the latest in education policy and research. Sun, 21 Mar 2010 02:30:44 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.1 hourly 1 By: Anonymous http://www.quickanded.com/2008/07/economic-thoery-in-teacher-salaries-why.html/comment-page-1#comment-71 Anonymous Tue, 05 Aug 2008 04:02:00 +0000 http://www.quickanded.com/wordpress/?p=1185#comment-71 Let's see... I got a 1410 on my SAT's (690 verbal and 720 math). I have two undergraduate degrees from a UC where I aced classes like genetics and organic chemistry. I work incredibly hard and seek professional development whenever I can. I became a teacher because I wanted to work with low income kids, and my students consistently make tremendous growth on their standardized tests. Above and beyond that, every year students call me after school gets out and tell me that summer vacation is boring compared to being in my class.<br/>The money is pretty much meaningless to me. I turned down a higher paying job in another district because I wanted to work with a lower income socienomic population. It's the lack of respect and inability to do my job as I see fit that is about to make me leave teaching. All of the policy wonks, politicians, and reporters fail to recognize the human and emotional aspect of teaching in low income schools. You really can't know what it feels like to work in and become a part of these communities if you haven't done it. In order to do the job well you must put your heart and soul into your work. Every time an administrator keeps you from doing your job to the best of your ability, or the public insinuates that the people in your profession are worthless, it becomes just a little bit harder to keep on giving. The absolute lack of respect shown in the idea that people should be paid according to their test scores is enough to tip the scales for me from considering leaving the profession to walking out the door and never coming back. I don't care if I personally would benefit from my students' high test scores. It was never about the money. Let’s see… I got a 1410 on my SAT’s (690 verbal and 720 math). I have two undergraduate degrees from a UC where I aced classes like genetics and organic chemistry. I work incredibly hard and seek professional development whenever I can. I became a teacher because I wanted to work with low income kids, and my students consistently make tremendous growth on their standardized tests. Above and beyond that, every year students call me after school gets out and tell me that summer vacation is boring compared to being in my class.
The money is pretty much meaningless to me. I turned down a higher paying job in another district because I wanted to work with a lower income socienomic population. It’s the lack of respect and inability to do my job as I see fit that is about to make me leave teaching. All of the policy wonks, politicians, and reporters fail to recognize the human and emotional aspect of teaching in low income schools. You really can’t know what it feels like to work in and become a part of these communities if you haven’t done it. In order to do the job well you must put your heart and soul into your work. Every time an administrator keeps you from doing your job to the best of your ability, or the public insinuates that the people in your profession are worthless, it becomes just a little bit harder to keep on giving. The absolute lack of respect shown in the idea that people should be paid according to their test scores is enough to tip the scales for me from considering leaving the profession to walking out the door and never coming back. I don’t care if I personally would benefit from my students’ high test scores. It was never about the money.

]]> By: paprgl http://www.quickanded.com/2008/07/economic-thoery-in-teacher-salaries-why.html/comment-page-1#comment-62 paprgl Fri, 01 Aug 2008 03:35:00 +0000 http://www.quickanded.com/wordpress/?p=1185#comment-62 I predict the only programs in Texas that will be successful are tied to broader school initiative reforms. Austin, Dallas and Houston will have these. Others will not and will fade away. I predict the only programs in Texas that will be successful are tied to broader school initiative reforms. Austin, Dallas and Houston will have these. Others will not and will fade away.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.quickanded.com/2008/07/economic-thoery-in-teacher-salaries-why.html/comment-page-1#comment-61 Anonymous Thu, 31 Jul 2008 20:00:00 +0000 http://www.quickanded.com/wordpress/?p=1185#comment-61 Chad<br/>Who leaves teaching? the more able or the less able? Why do they leave? What is the impact of salary on retention? and, most importantly, why do some schools, adjusting for student quality, do better than others?<br/><br/>Most studies cite the primary reason for leaving teaching is "lack if supervisory support," not salary. And, we do not have adequate research on the impact of collaboration ... <br/><br/>In NYC the selective, and expensive, Teaching Fellows program has increased the quality of entering teachers, initially the retention rate was lower than teachers at large ..and while they have improved, not much ...<br/><br/>The culture within schools, among teachers and the relationship with the school leader are key factors, it's "easier" to blame teacher unions Chad
Who leaves teaching? the more able or the less able? Why do they leave? What is the impact of salary on retention? and, most importantly, why do some schools, adjusting for student quality, do better than others?

Most studies cite the primary reason for leaving teaching is “lack if supervisory support,” not salary. And, we do not have adequate research on the impact of collaboration …

In NYC the selective, and expensive, Teaching Fellows program has increased the quality of entering teachers, initially the retention rate was lower than teachers at large ..and while they have improved, not much …

The culture within schools, among teachers and the relationship with the school leader are key factors, it’s “easier” to blame teacher unions

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