Comparing Teacher Salaries and Student Data Across States

Introduction: The Challenge of Educational Data Comparison

Unlike many other industrialized nations, the educational system of the United States exists in a relatively piecemeal form. There is a great deal of variation not simply between states in terms of teachers' salaries and student test scores, but also in terms of the conditions that make it even more challenging to compare such datasets. This can be extremely difficult to navigate in the modern era, where evidence-based research and statistics are frequently used to make major educational decisions. Since the passage of No Child Left Behind (NCLB), statistical benchmarks have been used to compare school districts, despite the acknowledged challenges of doing so. Teachers themselves may also attempt to compare datasets when deciding the best area of the country in which to pursue certification and employment.

Teacher Salaries and Cost of Living

In regards to teachers' salaries, cost of living can be difficult to compare from state to state. As noted by Iasevoli (2017), the states that pay teachers the highest salaries usually also have the highest costs of living. While the average teacher salary in California is $72,050, this amount is actually below what is needed to "live comfortably," and according to the state's Department of Education, the starting salary for a teacher is around $40,000 per year (Iasevoli, 2017, par. 3). In short, it may take many years for a debt-burdened young teacher to accumulate the financial means to pay off significant student loans while earning considerably below what would be required to maintain the middle-class lifestyle typical of a college-educated professional. Moreover, the highest salary a teacher could aspire to reaches a relatively modest ceiling, since teachers cannot expect earnings to grow beyond a certain threshold regardless of increases in the cost of living.

Salary, Student Performance, and Correlation vs. Causation

Many states, such as Oklahoma and Arizona, often attempt to use salary increases as a way to improve overall student performance. In states facing teacher shortages, it is hoped that higher salaries will attract more competent professionals. States with higher teacher salaries often do have students who post higher standardized test scores and perform better on other measures of student achievement. But once again, this is an example of how comparative data can be misleading. Such states often have higher standards of living and tend to contain more professional families that prioritize education, as is the case in New York State. Additionally, while states that place a higher priority on education may happen to offer higher salaries, this relationship may be due to correlative rather than causal factors.

References

Andrews, E. (2016). Test score inflation can boost graduation rates but comes with consequences. Education Week. Retrieved from https://ed.stanford.edu/news/test-score-inflation-can-boost-graduation-rates-comes-consequences-stanford-study-finds

Iasevoli, B. (2017). Which states pay teachers the most (and least)? Education Week. Retrieved from http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/teacherbeat/2017/02/which_states_pay_teachers_the_.html

Strauss, V. (2015). New York's Common Core test scores flop yet again — with 20 percent of students opting out. The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2015/08/13/n-y-common-core-test-scores-flop-yet-again/