Are Public-School Teachers Underpaid?

National Review ^ | 11/01/2011 | Andrew G. Biggs

[noinfringers2]

I have a degree in chemical engineering with a post graduate certificate from one of the most highly rated universities in the world. I needed government/civic courses to get in and get out. I also have two professional licenses. I thought at one time it would be good if I would be able to spend some time after retirement to help struggling students even without pay. After casually exploring what the system and union’s hoops I would have to jump through I gave up the idea. As far as I’m concerned unions of ‘public servants-all’ need to be quashed down to/for absolute societal necessities with corresponding pay.

[SoldierDad]

I would suggest that education majors take Calculus I, II, and III, and differential equations but few would graduate.

And, the purpose for requiring an elementary level multi-subject credentialed teacher to know calculus I, II, and III would be ? ? ? ? What benefit would there be in requiring a high school English teacher to be able to pass such high level math courses? ? ? ? Should this also be applied to Physical Education teachers? If the desired outcome is to eliminate people from earning a teaching credential, then I might understand your line of thought. But, requiring such a high level of mathematics for people obtaining a degree where such mathematics are not used makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. But, I can understand given that so many people who are so critical of education have never spent a single day in the shoes of a classroom teacher. If they had they might have formed a different opinion.

[SoldierDad]

I will check to see of my granddaughter still has any of the math worksheets from 6th grade, and if so, I’ll give you some examples. I won’t be able to check until Friday, so this will be in-process till then. Ping me if I don’t get back to you by early next week as my schedule is hectic and I don’t recall as well as I use to.

[SoldierDad]

As I offered to Hodar, I will offer to you . . . I will check to see if my granddaughter still has any of the math homework worksheets from last year and provide some examples. I won’t be home until Friday, and in case I forget by then, ping me to remind me about this.

[Hodar]

No problem whatsoever ... I’m curious as to how something as simple as 6th grade math could be made complex. Are they factoring? Such as factoring by Prime numbers?

Example:
16 x 12 = (4 x 4) x (2 x 6)
= ((2 x 2)x(2 x 2)) x (2 x (2 x 3))
= 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 3
=2^6 x 3
= 64 x 3
= 192

[SoldierDad]

The issue isn’t with simple math calculation problems as in your example. It is with the language that is employed in the problem. And, much of what is sent home has no corresponding examples that can be utilized to compare to the homework problems.

[wintertime]

I did say, that I wouldn't require Calculus II or III. So few socialist teachers would be able to pass it that we might not have any socialist school teachers. Anyway, ....as a graduate in one of the hard sciences, I see Calculus I, II, and III as being merely fundamental and basic preparation courses. They are not advanced courses.

Purpose:

It would prove that they weren't bringing math phobia into the classroom and subtly communicating this phobia to their students.

It would be one proof, among others, that were smart enough to merit being paid tax dollars.

It should apply to all socialist school teachers for the above reasons.

While many have not been socialist teachers, many socialist school teachers have never spent a day working a serious job in the private market.

[wbill]

Preach on. :-)

forgive me if I don’t get overly concerned about their plight.

Exactly. I've never met a teacher who didn't think that they were the most picked-on, overworked, underpaid, under-appreciated person in their job in the entire world. To me, the similarities among the teachers I know (and I know a dozen or more) are bizarre. That mindset must come with the territory. Heck, even my M-i-L, who was a teacher, but has been retired for almost 10 years, still whines about how lousy her job *was*.

I've no doubt that many teachers work hard in a demanding job, but so do you and I and plenty of other people. Sez me, if you hate what you do, find something else.

I don't always love my job, but more-or-less, I don't particularly mind it. And, I don't bitch about it to everyone who'll listen.

[NewinTexsas]

Considering the mindless crap that is taught in course of an education degree, no other segment would hire them.

And WE pay for that mindless crap.

[wintertime]

Personally...What sets my teeth on edge is the “good” teacher myth.

Let's be plain about this.

Would a “good” teacher ***willingly** seek a job that teaches children to think and reason godlessly? Huh? Would a “good” person do that? Yet, ALL of our nation's socialist schools do exactly that! The religiously worldview of every one of our socialist schools is GODLESS. The child **will** think and reason godlessly just to cooperate in the classroom. EVIL teachers would take a job that works to destroy the faith of a child. Useful idiots too.

And....All government schools in this nation are socialist. Just by attending children learn that government can use the threat of police action to **force** children to use the socialist schools and to **force** citizens to pay for it. Well?...Gee!...If government can give a child socialist schooling, why not thousands of other socialist goodies? Do “good” teachers **willingly** take a job that would teach children to be comfortable with socialism? No! Of course not! Evil teachers do. Useful idiots do.