For teachers, it isn't money that matters
For teachers, it isn't money that matters
U.S. teachers are more interested in school reform and student achievement than their paychecks, according to a massive new survey.
The survey of 40,090 K-12 teachers — including 15,038 by telephone — was likely the largest national survey of teachers ever completed and includes the opinions of teachers in every grade, in every state and across the demographic spectrum.
Called "Primary Sources: America's Teachers on America's School," the survey of 40,090 K-12 teachers was conducted by Harris Interactiv and paid for by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Scholastic Inc.
The purpose of the survey was to keep teachers' voices in the debate over education reform, said Vicki L. Phillips, director of Gates Foundation's K-12 education program.
"If you're the heart and soul of this profession, you ought to have some say in it," Phillips said on Tuesday.
Most teachers surveyed said they feel students in their states are doing OK in school, but they believe fewer than 75 percent will graduate from high school ready to succeed in college and work.
Teachers don't want to see their students judged on the results of one test and they also want their own performances graded on multiple measures.
Most value non-monetary rewards, such as time to collaborate with other teachers and a supportive school leadership, over higher salaries. Only 28 percent felt performance pay would have a strong impact and 30 percent felt performance pay would have no impact at all.
"If you ask a teacher what they think, you're going to hear what they think," said Margery Mayer, executive vice president and president of Scholastic Education.
Most teachers said they spend time visiting students at home or participating in after-school and weekend events. They see themselves as a bridge between school and home and an important part of the effort to raise student achievement.
In general, the views of teachers surveyed closely mirror the beliefs of education reformers including the Gates Foundation.
Share on Facebook
- Posted on March 3, 2010
Animals
Art
Your stories
I dont tink teachers are like that because a lot of our teachers always offer to stay later than they do to help us out with stuff we dont get, or stuff we need to make up from being absent.
Yeah right! Teachers are ALWAYS complaining about being at school! I hate teaching blah blah blah! I hate kids blah blah blah! Only nice teachers are true to this article!
I'm shure teachers went to college to become a teacher because they enjoy helping people and are concerned about their future. Not just to get money. But I know teachers also want to get paid so they can live their life at home, lol. But you can tell the teachers that put in some extra effort to help you and the teachers that just teach you the stuff. I really appreciate the teachers that take time out of their day to help you before/after school if you don't understand something, or are just there for you.
This is just mean. I mean adults become teachers so they can see children grow up go to college. Not because they want money or paychecks. I have this awesome teacher whos name is Mr. kennedy and he is not in this for the money, he is in it to teach kids. I wish there were more teachers like Mr kennedy
This article is great that teachers are actually more interested in students then the money. Knowing how budget cuts are right now. They must really care about their students education. Well I really think these teachers are great.
I think half of that is a lie .Some teachers just say that because you are geting paid.Frome my whole exspierance and im in 8th grade i only had 6 teachers who ever realy care an thats out of the 25 teachers who realy tried to help our students .And how could u say that when now teachers are talking about and always say they should get paid more.
If people choose to be a teacher, you should do it because you enjoy it, not because of the amount of money that they make.
This article is about that U.S. teachers are more interested in school reform and student achievement than their paychecks, according to a massive new survey. The purpose of the survey was to keep teachers' voices in the debate over education reform, said Vicki L. Phillips, director of Gates Foundation's K-12 education program. I think it is good for the teachers to do this. Students have to get a good education, and teachers must help them. It is nice to know that many teachers care about their student, not paychecks, and it was good idea to survey about teachers.
I think most teachers want to teach the students all they can, but some students just don't want to learn what they have to teach them. Teachers try they're hardest to make the students understand what they are trying to teach.
I don't think that all teachers are like that. Yes, some might be in for the money but I no my teachers don't care how much they get paid, all they care about is how much we learn and they care about us too!