Some districts pay bonuses for advanced degrees or extra duty. Private schools pay somewhat less, but teachers may be compensated with free tuition for their own children and greater independence in the classroom. Both public and private schools provide health and leave benefits. Teachers in public schools work a minimum of six hours a day in the classroom for a nine month school year. Some districts have year round classes where teachers work for 45 days followed by 15 days off throughout the year.
Teachers work many hours in non-teaching functions.
They plan lessons, confer with parents and resource teachers and participate in PTA activities. On their own time, they attend continuing education classes and seminars to qualify for credential renewal. The demand for Elementary School Teachers is very high in most areas of California. Additionally, some school districts report extreme difficulty finding substitute teachers, since many were hired in full time slots created by the Class Size Reduction Program. Exciting changes are taking place in California's elementary schools.