US teachers more interested in reform than money

[kpete]

Source: Salon

Wednesday, Mar 3, 2010 08:33 EST
US teachers more interested in reform than money
Survey of over 40,000 K-12 teachers throughout nation indicates educators value student achievement over paycheck
By DONNA GORDON BLANKINSHIP, Associated Press

U.S. teachers are more interested in school reform and student achievement than their paychecks, according to a massive new survey.

The survey of 40,090 K-12 teachers -- including 15,038 by telephone -- was likely the largest national survey of teachers ever completed and includes the opinions of teachers in every grade, in every state and across the demographic spectrum.

Called "Primary Sources: America's Teachers on America's School," the survey was conducted by Harris Interactive between March 10 and June 18, 2009, and was to be released Wednesday. It was paid for by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Scholastic Inc.

The purpose of the survey was to keep teachers' voices in the debate over education reform, said Vicki L. Phillips, director of Gates Foundation's K-12 education program.

Read more: http://www.salon.com/life/education/index.html?story=/news/2010/03/03/us_teacher_survey

[Mika]

1. Good survey and repuke motivation to cut teacher pay.

:banghead:

[dkf]

2. Not in Hawaii.

Teachers won't even change non instructional days they already get paid for to instructional days without getting paid for it again. Funny how that works because those aren't vacation days.

[stray cat]

3. Not in RI

[AngryAmish]

4. The question I want to see is "What percentage of your colleagues should not be teaching?"

[activa8tr]

5. That would be an interesting question.

I bet most teachers would say that over 90% of teachers do a good job, but I'd like to know from those who actually teach these days.

[hayu_lol]

8. What percentage of your students would you prefer to change...

to a different school?

[AngryAmish]

9. oooh, good one!

[last_texas_dem]

6. Lies!

A bunch of assholes on DU told me teachers were only in it for the money and don't give a shit about their students, and I know they must be right. After all, they all have *at least* as much classroom experience as Arne Duncan, and he's an "expert"...

[Robb]

7. Fascinating stuff

In general, the views of teachers surveyed closely mirror the beliefs of education reformers including the Gates Foundation.

For example, only 6 percent of teachers surveyed said graduating all students with a high school diploma was one of the most important goals of schools and teaching, while 71 percent said one of the most important goals was to prepare all students for careers in the 21st century.

Sort of kills the "all kids need is a quill pen and ink well" notion.