Most Americans Think Teachers are Underpaid, Survey Shows

Jun 6, 2023, 8:39 AM

(From NPR) In contrast to recent headlines around political divisions in the classroom, a pair of new, nationally-representative NPR/Ipsos polls reveal a surprising consensus among the general public around some education issues. In one poll of 1,316 K-12 parents, three-quarters (75%) of respondents said teachers are "asked to do too much work for the pay they receive." And while most parents (90%) say they believe "teaching is a worthwhile profession that deserves respect," two-thirds (66%) of parents admit they would be "concerned" about their child's financial future if they wanted to become a teacher.

The polls also touched on issues including teachers' autonomy in the classroom, political intervention in education and book bans.

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