The average salary earned by America’s teachers rose by an estimated 7.3 percent this year, the National Education Association reports, to $23,546.
The nea’s annual survey of salaries, enrollments, and spending in public education also indicates that overall public-school enrollment this year continued the long-term decline that began in 1973-74, decreasing by 0.3 percent--from 39,420,694 last year to 39,373,476. The number of public-school teachers decreased by 0.1 percent, the nea estimates.
At the same time, enrollments at the elementary level increased by 0.2 percent, with the “baby boomlet” raising total enrollment from 23,716,623 last year to 23,770,897 this school year.
State Data
The report, “Estimates of School Statistics, 1984-85,” presents statistical information from 1975 to 1985 on public elementary and secondary education for the 50 states and the District of Columbia. It is based on data from an annual survey of state education agencies that the 1.7-million member teachers’ organization has conducted for 43 years.
The figures for 1984-85 are based on estimates provided by the states in December.
“It should be noted that state-level data such as presented here mask the unique local and school-district variations that characterize school conditions within virtually every state,” nea officials caution in the report. “However, statewide averages and summaries do provide benchmarks useful in facilitating comparisons and understanding magnitudes,” the report states.
Changes in Funding
The report also reveals that for the seventh year in a row, the major source of revenue for public elementary and secondary schools is the state government. The states are providing 49 percent of school revenue this year, compared with 43.6 percent in 1974-75, according to the report.
In addition, the local share of public-school funding, which has declined steadily since 1974-75, continues to drop, from 45 percent last school year to 44.8 percent this year, according to the report.
The federal government’s contribution to public elementary and secondary schools also declined this year--from 6.6 percent in 1983-84 to an estimated 6.2 percent, the nea says.--cc
