Statistics Teachers must have a thorough grounding in the subjects they teach so they can guide their students effectively through the material and respond knowledgeably to questions and comments. The basis of their knowledge comes from their prior education, as signified by the degrees and certifications they earn. Teachers with three or fewer years of teaching experience were more likely than more experienced teachers to hold academic degrees.
Many teachers also participate in professional development to increase their skills and knowledge.
In 1998, the percentage of full-time public school teachers who participated in various development activities in the past 12 months ranged from 81 to 31 percent, depending on the type of activity. While there is some evidence that the nation's teachers are educated and strive to increase their skills and learn new techniques through professional development activities, there is evidence that their salaries are not competitive with those of workers in other professions. Elementary and secondary teachers earned less in 1998 than workers in other professions with bachelor's degrees. Teacher Salary Statistics Attracting and retaining quality teachers are growing concerns among education officials and the public. This is especially true for beginning teachers as school districts compete with each other and other industries for additional teaching personnel to cope with growing enrollments and an aging work force of experienced teachers who are nearing retirement.