Education Statistics

Teacher Salaries Continue to Lag behind Inflation

The average one-year increase in public schoolteacher pay was 2.9 percent, while inflation escalated 3.9 percent according to this year's "Rankings and Estimates..." report. NEA President Reg Weaver said, "Low teacher pay shortchanges the teaching profession, and students end up paying the price.” Report Highlights.
Read the full report  (  PDF, 1MB). (2007)

Related Items:

Teachers Take "Pay Cut" as Inflation Outpaces Salaries

A new NEA study shows a decline in public school teachers' real earnings as the average increase in teacher pay slipped below the rate of inflation in 2004–05. The annual report "Rankings and Estimates" provides state-level data on an array of topics relevant to the complex world of public education.  Report Highlights.
Read the Full Report (PDF ). (2006)

Related Content:

• Full Rankings by State
• Average Salaries of Public School Teachers: By State
• Number of Teachers in Public K-12 Schools
• Student-Teacher Ratio in Public K-12 Schools
• Check Out the Report from 2005

Schools Struggle to Find, Keep Well-Qualified Educators

The quality of a child's teacher is a key factor in closing achievement gaps. Unfortunately, teacher salaries have barely budged over the past decade,  complicating the nation's efforts to attract and retain them. Check out NEA's "Rankings & Estimates (PDF, 1MB, 129 pgs)" for the figures and to learn more about enrollement, per-pupil spending, and more. (2005)

Controversial School Funding Formula Gaining Popularity in United States  

Some say the "Weighted Student Formula" method of allocating funds can be a boost to urban schools. Others call this decentralized mode of money handling a distraction from the real problem -- inadequate school funding. Check out our new report and decide for yourself. (25pgs, 331K, PDF )

Urge Congress to Prevent College Aid Cuts

Without federal aid, many middle- and low-income students can't afford higher education. This makes it harder for them to get good-paying jobs. Make your voice heard.  Tell your representative to make long-term economic and educational goals – not short-term political ones.

Here's a look at trends in average yearly tuition at public and private colleges and universities.
See for yourself the impact of President Bush's proposed budget on higher ed programs.

Three Reports Offer Solutions for Funding Quality Education

Study Links States’ Income to Residents’ Education Levels

Investing in kids and their achievement has long-term economic benefits for communities according to “The Effects of State Public K-12 Expenditures on Income Distribution.” The report examines the correlation between education spending and a region’s financial viability and potential.

‘K-12 Education in the U.S. Economy’ Links School Capacity to State Financial Outlook

This new report suggests that increasing statewide revenue to support quality public education is an alternative to cutting this support to prevent tax increases. Additionally, learn how school quality impacts a region’s labor market, property values, and economic vitality.

Fifty-State Analysis Offers Prescription for Education Equity, Adequacy

“School Funding, Taxes and Economic Growth’ finds the number of jobs created by increasing education spending is larger than jobs lost from raising taxes to support that spending. Here’s why…

Despite Long Hours, Low Pay,
Teachers Love Their Profession

NEA's Status of the American Public School Teacher 2000-2001  shows that educators spend much of their own time expanding their knowledge and skills, and hundreds of their own dollars purchasing classroom supplies for their students. Find out why the majority would return to the classroom and do it all again. Also, check out …

• Status highlights - Nov. 2003  (PDF, 112k, 4 pages)
• Data highlights  (PDF, 44k, 4 pages)
• Complete report  (PDF, 1.2M, 384 pages)

… for more fascinating facts about the professional and personal lives of today's teachers. NEA has published this every five years since 1961.
More...

For More: Directory of NEA Research Reports

NEA's Research Department reviews data, issues and policies concerning NEA members, educators and the public school community to produce helpful reports. The NEA Research section provides one-stop access to all current NEA Research reports.