How to Raise the Status of Teachers

Another "Room for Debate" er, Debate

New York Times
March 27, 2011
http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2011/03/27/how-to-raise-the-status-of-teachers

Topic: Debate

Key Point: This is a collection of 9 short written segments by 'debaters' answering the question, "how to raise the status of the status of teachers". Each writer has links and references to other articles, organizations, and studies, so it makes for a great start to branch off to other resources.

States around the country are looking to trim their budgets, and public school teachers are feeling unfairly attacked. At the same time, the United States continues to fall behind other countries in student performance rankings.

In high-scoring countries like Finland, Japan, The Netherlands, Canada and South Korea, teachers have higher status and are typically paid better relative to other workers. It also noted, "countries that have succeeded in making teaching an attractive profession have often done so not just through pay, but by raising the status of teaching."

Why Blame the Teachers?

Room for Debate

New York Times
March 6, 2011
http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2011/03/06/why-blame-the-teachers?ref=education
Topic: Debate

This is a collection of 8 short written segments by 'debaters' including Diane Ravitch author of Language Police and Daily Show guest.

With states and cities going through hard times, teachers, their pensions and their unions have become big targets for budget cutters. Lawmakers in some states are trying to change teacher tenure rules and school districts are laying off teachers by the thousands. In public debate and private conversations, teachers have come under increasing criticism for being ineffective and overpaid. Yet not long ago, education reform efforts sought to elevate the prestige and pay of teachers as a key to improving achievement in the classrooms.