School boards, administrators, state legislators, governors and business groups are proposing various strategies to promote teacher quality, several of which include recommendations on how teachers should be compensated. The AFT has long-believed that professional pay is an integral part of an educational system that promotes teacher quality. It is clear, then, that AFT must take the lead in engaging our members and the public in a discussion of teacher compensation issues. Study after study has documented the important relationship of teacher quality to student achievement. A survey conducted by Recruiting New Teachers found that the public is aware that higher teacher salaries are critical to increased quality, and they are willing to pay more for quality teachers.
Teachers are significantly underpaid, and the public knows it.
The profession lacks a competitive edge in the wider job market. The United States is experiencing a significant shortage of qualified teachers. Over the next 10 years, more than two million teachers must be hired to meet the demand for teachers caused by rising student enrollments and teacher retirements. At the same time, surveys have shown that fewer college students are interested in pursuing teaching as a career. Although some professionals unsatisfied with their jobs have moved into teaching, the majority of second-career seekers reject teaching for its low pay and tough working conditions.