A Portrait of America’S Teachers from NEA

In a recent press release The NEA posted some interesting stats about teachers, and noted a few key trends:

The teaching profession has changed dramatically over the past 40 years. The majority of the nation's 3 million teachers have at least a master's degree and an average of 15 years of experience. In addition, more than 75 percent of all teachers participate in professional development related to their grade or subject area.[...]

According to NEA's research and other sources, today's teachers are primarily white, female, married, religious, and on average are 43 years old. More than half hold at least a master's degree. Forty-five years ago, in 1961, only 23 percent held advanced degrees. Additionally, 21st century teachers:

• Spend an average of 50 hours per week on all teaching duties, including noncompensated school-related activities such as grading papers, bus duty and club advising.
• Teach an average of 21 pupils (elementary). Secondary schoolteachers have an average class size of 28 pupils.
• Spend an average of $443 per year of their own money to meet the needs of their students. Elementary teachers spend about $498 per year.  Secondary teachers spend about $386. Teachers of color spend about $470 per year, more than the $434 spent by white teachers.
• Make an average starting salary of $31,704 per year, not including supplemental pay for extra duties.
• Enter the teaching profession to help shape the next generation.  Nearly three out of four (73%) enter teaching because of their desire to work with young people. And nearly seven out of 10 teachers (68%) cite it as the reason for remaining in the profession.

The five trends they identify are:

• America's public schoolteachers are the most educated, most experienced ever.
• The work of teachers is being transformed.
• The number of teachers leaving the profession is increasing.
• The teaching corps in public schools does not reflect the diversity of the student population.
• Male teachers are a dwindling breed.

They have a lot of interesting details backing up each point. Check it out. Hat tip to the PEN Newsblast for finding this.