Good teachers deserve good salaries
July 23, 2010
In response to your recent article, "Chicago-area Teachers Top State in Earning Six-figure Salaries," Advance Illinois was neither shocked nor outraged at the report that 4 percent of Illinois teachers are being compensated at levels comparable to other hardworking professionals. Not all teachers merit $100,000 salaries. But there are plenty who do.
At its core, education is an investment in our future. The fact that some districts are able and choose to pay some teachers at this level is far from outrageous if those teachers are making a difference at the classroom level.
In truth, given the vital relationship between a well-educated citizenry and our civic and economic well-being, we arguably cannot pay good teachers what they are worth. (One recent study shows that if U.S. schools performed as well as top-performing countries, we could add $1.3 trillion to our economy  essentially outweighing the impact of the recent recession).
Understandably, especially in today's hard times, taxpayers want to know that salaries reflect talent and impact. Given that currently most teachers are rewarded based on seniority and degrees or licenses, this will take a significant shift in practice. But we are on our way.
Recent legislation passed with the support of teachers' unions ensures new teacher evaluation systems will incorporate student growth and push principals to draw clear distinctions between top-performing teachers and those who are simply not cut out for this demanding profession.
Good teachers and principals are at the heart of good schools, and make the critical difference in how much kids learn. Let's celebrate and reward those who are successful, and in so doing inspire a new generation to do the same.
-- Robin Steans, executive director, Advance Illinois, Chicago
