Teachers' Salaries Losing Ground to Inflation

A National Education Association report indicates that America's teachers are losing spending power as inflation outpaced increases in their salaries last year. The report showed that inflation increased 3.1 percent over the past year, while teacher salaries increased by only 2.3 percent. Some of the key findings of the report included the following:

Teacher salaries, which rose 2.3 percent to $47,808 since last year, failed to keep pace with the nation's 3.1 percent increase in inflation.

Teacher salary increases failed to keep pace with the inflation rate in 41 states and the District of Columbia.

Average teacher salaries actually declined in three states -- Maine, West Virginia and Alabama.

Education revenue increased 4.1 percent since last year.

Education expenditures rose 4.7 percent over the past year.

The entire NEA Report, "Rankings and Estimates Update: A Report on School Statistics, (.pdf)" can be viewed here.

Also See: The 'Teacher Next Door' Initiative