Get ready for some eye-opening news: Teachers in Florida are now earning the second-lowest pay in the whole country! This unexpected change has got everyone talking and wondering why. Let’s take a closer look at what’s going on with teacher pay in Florida and what it means for schools and teachers.
Florida Teacher Pay Drops To Second Lowest In US
A new study from the National Education Association claims that teachers in Florida are paid less on average than those in almost every other state in the union. Out of all the states and the District of Columbia included in the survey, only West Virginia is ranked lower than the Sunshine State.
The report, which uses information from the fiscal year 2022–2023 as a reference, states that Florida teachers earn an average salary of $53,098. From the No. 48 position in the previous year, the No. 50 rating fell two spots. At $95,160 on average, California is the state with the highest teacher compensation.
Average teacher pay in Florida has fallen from 48th to 50th in the most recent NEA salary rankings released today. For all the patting on the back that the Gov and Commissioner do for increasing teacher pay, it’s clear the emperor has no clothes. Florida must do better. pic.twitter.com/POCC8plDRh
— Andrew Spar (@andrewsparfea) April 30, 2024
The average for the country is $69,544. Conversely, Florida ranks 16th in the nation with an average beginning wage for teachers of slightly over $47,000.
According to the survey, the average compensation of a teacher in Florida is less than the $58,970 basic living wage. That figure represents the amount of money required in 2023 to maintain a “modest but adequate” level of life in the most affordable metro area for a family consisting of one adult and one child.
According to a press release, the Florida Education Association expressed worry about the “lack of support for teachers in the state and the long-term impacts of low pay.”
FEA President Andrew Spar said, “It is unacceptable that Florida ranks so close to last in the nation for teacher pay and that the teacher shortage crisis is still not being addressed. Every student in Florida deserves a world-class education. Every educator deserves the ability to create a better life for themselves and their loved ones. We need Florida’s lawmakers to step up and take bold action and fully fund public education to ensure our students can learn and grow. Florida’s students and educators need better.”
Spar also criticized Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, stating that since the governor’s election, Florida’s public school teachers had seen a “stagnant and declining average salary.”
Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida stated that he is still working to improve education in the state. Prior to announcing a “record boost to teacher pay” last year, DeSantis claimed the state had spent more than $2 billion on education.
In related news, teachers in the Orange County school district just approved an unprecedented 9% pay increase.
Feel free to take a moment to check out the additional posts listed below:
- Dead Infant Found At University Of Tampa Campus!
- Suspect Apprehended In Waukegan Shooting; Two Young Adults Injured!
