If you twist facts enough, you can make them say just about anything you want them to say. Hence the "divide by 12" comments.
No matter which hourly figure one promotes, it's an attempt to slant public opinion. Look at the figure for the annual contract, and then decide if it's worth it to take on a task thta is virtually impossible to accimplosh.
The real problem isn't teacher salaries... it's the fact that the wage scale is based on time, instead of merit.
The real problem isn't that teachers aren't doing a good job... it's that bad teachers are virtually impossible to remove from the classroom.
The real problem isn't that teachers don't teach the basics... it's that they're required to teach towards standardized tests.
The real problem isn't that teachers are underperforming professionals... it's that they're the lowest-paid professionals with the lowest authority to direct their own efforts (which also does nothing to draw higher-qualified folk who are making far more in the "real world").
Let's not forget the grueling hours they work - What is the worst case? 8:00 to 3:00? And how many half days do they get? And here in the NY, a few flurries an a Monday or Friday gets you a three day weekend. It is not like they are working 50-60 hours a week like us mortals.
Underpaid my arse.
In most areas, teachers are paid similar to, or better than, other non-business/non-medical degreed professionals.
Are they underpaid? Not in most areas.
I will admit that in places like Massachusetts and California, they're underpaid, RELATIVE TO THE COST OF HOUSING AND COST OF LIVING.
I've heard multiple stories about San Francisco teachers who have to live all the way out in Modesto because you can't afford even a cheap ghetto apartment in San Francisco on a teacher's salary.
With all due apologies to those dedicated teachers that do their jobs because they love it.
All these arguments from teachers and teacher's spouses, brothers, sisters, etc. stating you can't really calculate and use an hourly rate to compare pay demonstrate just how badly the American system of education has declined. Calculating rate of pay - do not include emotional feelings. They are mathematical calculations. Trying to justify special pay consideration with heart tugging stories of mental, emotional burderns is PC run amok. If you don't want to do the work, don't take the job.
These bogus arguments about how just because there is no school for 2-1/2 to 3 months, they are actually 'working' are indefensible in any logical or rational sense. No professional puts in an 8-hour, 5 day workweek. Every professional is expected to put in their OWN time to keep educated in their field. No other 'profession' has 2 to 3 months free from actually working at their job to maintain their expertise. In IT, you're lucky if you can get by with 10-12 hours per day and 6 days per week in a salaried position.
Teachers and government hacks get paid what they get paid. If they don't like it, get a job in the DPS ('dreaded private sector') as Howie says and deal with it. There is a reason why teacher unions are so big, strong, vocal, and protective of a competition-free, no performance evaluation environment. It certainly isn't because of the fantastic product their members deliver.