From: Nigel.Allen@bbs.oit.unc.edu (Nigel Allen)
Subject: Survey Finds Teachers' Average Pay Increase Smallest in 27 Years
Organization: Echo Beach
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1992 23:31:07 GMT

Here is a press release from the American Federation of Teachers.

 Survey Finds Teachers' Average Pay Increase Smallest in 27 Years
 To: National Desk, Education Writer
 Contact: Janet Bass of the American Federation of Teachers,
          202-879-4554

   WASHINGTON, Aug. 27 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The average 1991-92 salary
for teachers was $34,213 annually, which represented a $1,900 drop
from the 1972 wage after adjusting for the experience level of the
average teacher, the American Federation of Teachers said today in
its annual Survey and Analysis of Salary Trends, 1992.
   The average teacher had 15.4 years of classroom experience in
1991-92, compared to 10.7 years in 1972.  After adjusting for the
experience differential, the average teacher now earns $1,900 (in
1992 dollars) less than 20 years ago, according to the survey.
   The 1991-92 average salary of $34,213 was a 3.6 percent increase
over the previous year's average of $33,033.  This was the smallest
percentage increase in 27 years.
   "Teachers may be doing a bit better than in past years, but the
increase is insignificant considering the amount of experience the
average teacher is bringing to students," said AFT President Albert
Shanker.  "If we don't pay teachers what they're really worth, we
won't be successful in recruiting quality teachers and all the
education reforms in the world won't make a difference."
   Connecticut had the highest average annual salary at $47,510,
taking over the top spot from Alaska, which had long been the
nation's leader.  Alaska dropped to second, with an average salary of
$43,000.
   South Dakota had the dubious distinction of being in last place
for two consecutive years.  It paid its teachers $23,291 in the
1991-92 school year.
   Arkansas was the only state in the 1992 survey to experience
double-digit salary growth.  It had the highest salary increase
13.8 percent -- enabling the state to move up the national salary
ladder from 49th place in 1990-91 to 42nd place in the most recent
survey.  Arkansas' average teacher salary was $27,168 in the 1991-92
school year.
   Under Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton's education trust program, a
one-half cent sales tax is dedicated solely for classroom teacher
salaries.  The trust fund provided teachers with nearly $3,500 more
in 1991-92.
   The national average teacher salary of $34,213 fell short of
earnings in other white-collar professions, the survey found.  The
average salary for an attorney was $61,568; full professor, $60,450;
engineer, $51,315; chemist, $50,962; accountant, $36,919; and
assistant professor, $34,460.
   The average 1991-92 salary for beginning teachers was $22,171, up
3.2 percent from the previous year.  Thirty-five states and
Washington, D.C., paid its teachers below the average starting wage.
Alaska paid beginning teachers the most, at $30,429; Idaho the least,
at $16,721.
   Despite the average 3.6 percent increase in salaries nationally,
teachers in many areas around the country are facing the prospect of
drastic pay cuts or no increases because of state and local
government budget crises.
   For example, Los Angeles teachers are being asked to take a
17.5 percent pay cut plus the equivalent of a 4 percent reduction in
health benefits.
   New York City teachers agreed to defer $40 million of a negotiated
increase over one year ago.  They have yet to receive the raise and
are entering the second year of working without a contract.
   In Chicago, the city wants to give teachers a 2.6 percent raise,
which would break the current contract language allowing for a
7 percent hike.
   "Most teachers did surprisingly well this year because they had
long-term contracts that expire this year," said F. Howard Nelson,
associate director of the AFT Research Department.  "It's unlikely
teachers will do as well next year, given the recession."
   Other major survey findings include:
   -- Teachers' average increase of 3.6 percent exceeded the
      inflation rate of 3.2 percent in 1992.
   -- Public spending on education in the United States ranked in
      the bottom third of all industrialized nations in 1987, the
      year of the most recent data.  Even U.S. public spending on
      higher education fell below average.
   The AFT represents 796,000 teachers and professors,
paraprofessionals and school-related personnel, nurses and health
care workers, state and municipal employees.
 -30-

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