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Teachers are underpaid. Is that changing?

Mar 3, 2023
At least two dozen states — and Congress — have either proposed or enacted laws to increase teacher pay in the past couple of years.
At least two dozen states, plus Congress, have proposed or enacted laws to boost teacher pay in recent years.
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Why are more and more public school principals quitting their jobs?

Feb 22, 2023
A Rand survey finds that 16% of public school principals retired or quit in the 2021-22 school year, more than double the rate from the year before.
School principals have increasingly been at the center of polarizing debates over issues like masking.
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States consider a contract that would help teachers stay certified across state lines

Feb 2, 2023
At least 10 states are considering an agreement that would make it easier for teachers licensed in one state to work in any of the others.
A newly proposed compact would allow teachers in states that join get certified more easily in other member states.
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What it means to be a new teacher in 2022: "I'm a student teaching students"

Dec 1, 2022
School districts, flush with cash from federal Covid relief funds, are looking to hire, and new teachers are figuring out how schools must adapt in the wake of a pandemic.
New teachers are navigating the start of their careers in the wake of the pandemic.
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Some Texas school districts are pivoting to a 4-day week

Oct 31, 2022
One district that has made the move is finding it easier to recruit and hire teachers. But some working parents say it is harder to manage.
The Athens Independent School District launched a three-year pilot program in 2019 as it transitioned to a shorter week with longer days. That schedule is now permanent, and the district isn’t looking back.
Bill Zeeble/KERA

How one elementary principal is dealing with hiring staff and kids' learning loss

Sep 28, 2022
"We are scrambling as a school, as a district" to catch up kids and address mental health needs, Jessica Gomez of Southern California says.
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Where Monday is the new Sunday: More school districts move to 4 days a week

Aug 12, 2022
Many districts make the switch to attract teachers and save money. Though some extend the school day, classroom time often contracts.
Some school districts don't have classes on Mondays. Others skip Fridays and provide child care for a fee.
Jon Cherry/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

As more teachers leave the profession, substitutes become even more essential

Aug 2, 2022
Pandemic-era needs for substitute teachers are changing how schools fill the job – and who they hire to fill it.
The concept of the substitute teacher has been altered because of the pandemic-fueled teacher shortage.
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With a new school year in view, many districts struggle to find enough teachers

Jul 14, 2022
Some districts are offering more pay and housing stipends. Others are cutting back, putting a bigger load on remaining teachers.
Some school districts are offering hiring bonuses to fill a shortage of educators. Others are simply making do with fewer teachers.
John Cherry/Getty Images

For teachers, add inflation to the causes of burnout

May 20, 2022
And that’s on top of the fact that teacher pay was already relatively low.
Teachers and other education workers are up against pandemic burnout, understaffed schools and wages that aren’t keeping up with inflation.
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images