I have been exposed to a lot of data concerning Idaho k-college education outcomes. A talented, engaged teacher produces good results. Studies over many years as reported by Gallup report that highly effective teachers have subject matter knowledge, refined teaching skills, and most importantly-talent. Gallup defines talent as naturally recurring thoughts, feelings and behaviors that can be productively applied. These great teachers seem to have common characteristics that coalesce into three areas; their motivation to teach, the relationships they create, and the way they structure learning. Setting high goals for themselves and the student, winning the student over, and finding a way to help students learn to learn. In Idaho we have 290,000 students in
K-12 education. How are doing?
I started thinking about pay for performance and equity when I read the Oklahoma teachers are on strike with West Virginia and Kentucky facing similar walk outs. A few facts before we talk about the Idaho school report card. Idaho invests $6621 dollars on each student, the second lowest in the nation. In 2015 the Idaho Legislature with solid support from the Governor and the business community approved a 5 year career ladder program that would add $250 million to teacher salaries over that period. That increase has moved the minimum salary for a first year teacher in Idaho to $34,000 up from $31,000. Average Idaho salary for teachers is $48,000. The goal was to get starting salaries to $40,000 with an average of $60,000. Oklahoma which is now on strike has an average minimum range from $31-46,000. The average for elementary school teachers in Arizona is $42,000 still well below the national average. Enough statistics. Idaho is at the bottom of the barrel on education funding.
In spite of the investment level and teacher pay issues, Idaho’s 2017 National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) scores show our students in line with or better than National numbers. Our fourth grade math scores show 40% of students score proficient or better and in the eight grade group 36%. Reading scores indicate 39% proficient or better in both 4th and 8th grades— higher than the national average. In a related story Idaho eighth graders ranked no. 9 in the nation in the 2015 science assessment exam—this is likely the result of the emphasis on STEM education in Idaho. Where are we behind? Idaho’s English language learners continue to struggle with no progress since 2007. Idaho experiences a decrease in teacher turnover last year to 11.8% from 20% the year before. I hope that is an early sign that our teachers feel valued and better compensated.
“It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” Albert Einstein.
Enjoy the week end. Thank a teacher. Mike