Recent research is showing that boys seem to learn better with male teachers. But, with the population of male teachers shrinking, where will the teachers come from?
The National Education Association recently released a study that states only 24 percent of teachers are males. This is the lowest percentage in 40 years. What is the reason? Money.
Average Salaries
The NEA reports that teacher salaries have only risen 0.2 percent after inflation. That is not going to tempt males to go into education. The average public school teacher salary was $47,674 for the 2004-2005 school year. Males are still traditionally the bread winners of the family. Few are impressed with this salary.
Philadelphia Schools
Same gender schools are a national trend in education. Why? Because they seem to be effective. Philadelphia is forming both a boys and girls school based on research and the numbers are growing. Even if these schools are successful, where will the male instructors come from to teach in the successful schools if the salaries are not equal to income in the private sector?
Drop Out Issues
The drop out rate nationally is a disgrace. The rate in some large cities is up to 50%. The majority are males. Drop outs give reasons and the solutions are not that complicated. One of the reasons listed for dropping out was a lack of mentoring between students and teachers. Young men need male role models. They need to be shown how to be a man in today's society. However, all teachers need to be compensated for their hard work in a very challenging field.
The teaching field will continue to suffer shortages until salaries reflect respect for the work done.
Read previous articles on Educational Issues.
Copyright article 2006 Barbara Pytel. All Rights Reserved.
