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Extra Credit - Holding Your Own

 

Photo: Blend Images/John Lund

Maybe you’re a little more stressed-out than you used to be? Maybe you eye the chocolate bowl at staff meetings with a little more hunger than years past. “I need a pick-me-up!” Of course you do! The teaching profession today isn’t getting any easier than it was 35 years ago (and it certainly doesn’t pay much better), as data from NEA’s recently published Status of the American Public School Teacher shows. But, despite those challenges, we also see that American teachers remain as dedicated to their mission as ever.

WORKING MORE THAN 60 HOURS A WEEK

1970s:  5
2006:  20
(Percentage of teachers) 

JUST WANTED JOB SECURITY

1970s:  16
2006:  17
(Percentage who say...) 

GET A FULL HOUR FOR LUNCH

1970s:  9
2006:  1
(Percentage of teachers) 

MEAN SALARY

1970s:  $23,153
2006:  $24,700
(Adjusted for cost of living) 

BECAME TEACHERS BECAUSE THEY LIKE KIDS

1970s:  72
2006:  71
(Percentage who say...) 

MEAN CLASS SIZE

1970s:  27
2006:  29

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Published In

August, 2010

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