Pass the Pay Teachers Act
Petition to Congress:
We demand that Congress pass the Pay Teachers Act, which would set $60,000 as the starting salary for all public school teachers, and would significantly increase federal investments in teachers and public schools, including tripling Title I-A funding and funding for rural education programs. America has a serious shortage of teachers. Forty-four percent of public school teachers quit the profession within five years, and over half our public schools are understaffed. Teachers are severely underpaid – their average starting salary remains less than $42,000. Congress must act now to pay our educators fairly, and ensure our children have high quality, fully staffed schools.
America has a serious shortage of teachers. Forty-four percent of public school teachers quit the profession within five years, and over half our public schools are understaffed. The core reason for the shortage? Teachers are severely underpaid – their average starting salary remains less than $42,000.1
“It is simply unacceptable that, in the richest country in the history of the world, many teachers are having to work two or three extra jobs just to make ends meet,” said Senator Bernie Sanders in a recent statement announcing new legislation to raise teacher salaries.2
Senator Sanders’ new bill, the Pay Teachers Act, would set a federal standard that public school teachers are paid a minimum of $60,000 per year.3 Congress can act now to pay our educators fairly, and ensure our children have high quality, fully-staffed schools.
The teacher shortage intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, as educators dealt with higher levels of anxiety, stress, and burnout without a corresponding increase in pay. A recent National Education Association survey found that 55% of U.S. educators are considering leaving the profession earlier than they had planned, citing pandemic-related stress and inadequate pay.1
Two years ago, the top three billionaires in America made more money than every single kindergarten teacher in the United States combined, said Senator Ed Markey in a recent town hall on teacher pay. “Who contributed more to America two years ago?...The question answers itself.”4
The Pay Teachers Act would set $60,000 as the starting salary for all public school teachers, and would significantly increase federal investments in teachers and public schools, including tripling Title I-A funding and increasing investment in rural education programs.
Low salaries not only hurt teachers and our children’s education, they also make America less competitive on the world stage. “Teachers are nation builders,” noted American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten. “We are the pillars of democracy. We prepare our kids to be caretakers of tomorrow’s environment. We prepare the sparks that ignite innovation; we prepare the tenders of global relationships…It’s important to place a value on what teachers do…Frankly pay is a way to do that.”
We agree. It’s time for Congress to protect American education and pay teachers fairly.
Sources:
- Salon, “Bernie Sanders bill would give teachers $60K minimum wage — fully funded by taxing rich estates,” February 15, 2023.
- Bernie Sanders, "NEWS: Sanders Introduces Legislation to Address Teacher Pay Crisis in America,” March 9, 2023.
- The Hill, “Sanders introduces bill to raise minimum teacher pay to $60,000 a year,” March 9, 2023.
- Education Week, “The Push for a $60K Base Teacher Salary Gains Steam as Bernie Sanders Signs On,” February 14, 2023.
- AFT, “Bernie Sanders partners with teachers to demand higher pay,” February 14, 2023.