In 1996 there were 144,100 Elementary School Teachers in California. By 2006 this figure should rise to almost 200,000, taking into consideration new positions created by the Class Size Reduction Program. The demand for Elementary School Teachers is high in most areas of California, particularly in remote rural areas and in poorer urban communities. There is also a critical shortage of substitute teachers in most areas of the state. Salaries vary between school districts and generally are based on experience, size of district, and college units completed.
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. Hours Teachers in most elementary schools work a minimum of six hours a day in the classroom for a nine-month school year. Some districts have year-round schedules where teachers work for 45 days followed by 15 days off, throughout the year. Teachers work many additional hours per week in non-teaching functions such as planning lessons, grading assignments and tests, conferring with parents and resource teachers, and participating in Parent Teacher Association activities. They also attend continuing education classes and seminars to qualify for credential renewal.