Arkansas raised teacher pay statewide -- a lot -- but some teachers aren't happy, writes
Ariel Gilreath on the Hechinger Report. "Because of the new law, in more than half of the state’s school districts, every teacher made the same salary this year, regardless of years of experience."
She talks to a new teacher who thought she'd have to start at $36,000 in a rural district, but saw pay jump to $50,000 because of the state law. Teachers who spent decades getting to that point are miffed.
The higher pay makes it much easier for rural districts to recruit and retain teachers.
Earning an advanced degree won't lead to higher pay in most cases, so graduate education programs could be hard hit. (There's no evidence that teachers with a master's are more effective.)
“Effective” teachers could earn a bonus at the end of the school year, writes Gilbreath, "but the rules have yet to be finalized on what 'effective' looks like or exactly how much teachers will get."
Nationwide, the average compensation for teachers -- pay and benefits -- exceeds $100,000, as of 2021-22, according to Just Facts. That includes $66,397 in salary and $34,090 in benefits (such as health insurance, paid leave, and pensions).