America’s Teacher

As an estimated 52.2 million elementary and secondary school children begin a new year of classes, here’s a summary of recent Department of Education survey concerning their teachers.

Who They Are

RACE

White, non-Latino: 87%

Latino: 4%

Black, non-Latino: 8%

Other: 1%

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AVERAGE AGE

Public: 43

Private: 42

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HIGHEST DEGREE

Bachelor’s: 52%

Master’s: 42%

Other: 6%

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What They Make

Average elementary salary

Public: $33,600

Private: $20,000

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Average secondary salary

Public: $34,900

Private: $24,900

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Bachelor’s degree, no experience

Public: $21,900

Private: $16,200

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Master’s degree, no experience

Public: $24,000

Private: $17,600

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Master’s degree, 20 years experience

Public: $37,000

Private: $25,200

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Percentage who agree with the statement: I am satisfied with my teaching salary.

Public

Agree: 45%

Disagree: 55%

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Private

Agree: 42%

Disagree: 58%

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Outside Factors

Teachers who reported lack of parental involvement and poverty are serious problems at school:Lack of parental involvement:

Public: 28%

Private: 4%

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Poverty:

Public: 20%

Private: 3%

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Teachers who reported that they receive a great deal of parental support:

Public: 12%

Private: 42%

Source: U.S. Department of Education survey

Researched by D’JAMILA SALEM FITZGERALD and CHRIS ERSKINE / Los Angeles Times