LOL.... tell us.... how has the education levels in this country done since the public unions took over? Has our educational capabilities increased or decreased?
Simply paying them more doesn't necessarily equate to 'better education'. The reason our educational system sucks is the complete lack of incentives. What incentive does a teacher currently have to excel or to even simply show signs of improvement year over year?
That said, we can afford to pay more to teachers if we eliminate so much of the unnecessary administration.
I'm not here to defend unions. I'm here to defend teacher salaries, and the profession.
We have reached a point where teachers are basically villified - just look at some of the comments on this thread. Many CAN make more in the private sector if they so choose, so why put up w/ the scorn & political BS that comes w/ being a teacher in 2011?
It's a damned friggin' shame. I read the comments on this thread, and just shake my head. Education is an investment - and that doesn't mean you just throw money at it, but the way we're devaluing it on this thread & beyond is a recipe for disaster in terms of our competitive strength vs. the rest of the world.