Stop Blaming Our Teachers And Raise Their Salaries.

Aha!  i knew that would get your attention!  now before you take to yelling back at your computer screen with the typical "summers off" argument, let's just take a deep breath, shall we?  Here is an  are some interesting stats and an equally interesting argument for giving teachers MORE

First, here are the cold hard facts, according to Dave Eggers and Ninive Clements Calegari in a NY Times opinion piece.

Teachers earn 14% less than other professions with similar education levels, leading to few graduates wanting to teach and a high turnover rate for new teachers. Eggers recommends raising starting salaries from the current $39,000 to around $65,000, as current salaries are too low to attract first-rate university graduates

They also go on to say this:

When America fails in combat, we don't blame the troops for being lazy, we blame the top brass. So why is it that our response to a failing education system is to blame the teachers? When combat goes poorly, our response is to give the troops better weapons, training, and resources (not less!)

Definitely something to think about when you see budget cuts in the Capital Region, teacher layoffs (see TU article entitled "Sign of the Times" if you want to get depressed,  school closings (see Times Union article about Troy, NY school shutting down)--need I go on?

I know, I know.  You're sick of property taxes funding all of this, and so am I.  Personally, that's where it's got to start.  There has to be a different way to pay for it all.   But I'm not that smart.  Don't shoot me, I'm just the piano player.

What ideas do YOU have?  I'd be glad to hear them!