Quality Counts 2008: Tapping Into Teaching

Report Read time:
Quality Counts 2008: Tapping Into Teaching

Education Week launched a new report card today, grading the states across six areas of education performance and policy. While the U.S. posted a grade of C overall, the average state earned a D-plus on public school achievement, the poorest showing of any graded category. Marks were also low for state efforts to improve teaching, where 10 states earned a grade of D or lower.

High-quality teaching matters more to student achievement than anything else schools do. So one would assume that states, districts, and schools would have a laser-like focus on attracting, training, and supporting the very best people for the job.

The analysis is included in the report, Quality Counts 2008: Tapping Into Teaching, Unlocking the Key to Student Success, which also found that workers in other occupations have a greater chance to earn above-average salaries than teachers, whose wages are more compressed. A state-by-state assessment shows that teacher earnings fail to reach the parity mark in 40 states and the District of Columbia. The least-competitive teacher salaries were found in North Carolina and Missouri, where earnings are less than 80 percent of those for comparable workers.

View the articles and report cards on the Education Week Web site.

Downloads Report Quality Counts 2008
Downloads Report Quality Counts 2008
America’s Overdose Crisis
America’s Overdose Crisis

America’s Overdose Crisis

Sign up for our five-email course explaining the overdose crisis in America, the state of treatment access, and ways to improve care

Sign up
Quick View
America’s Overdose Crisis

America’s Overdose Crisis

Sign up for our five-email course explaining the overdose crisis in America, the state of treatment access, and ways to improve care

Sign up

MORE FROM PEW

Standing on a boat in his wetsuit, with shimmering blue water and a hilly coast behind him, Stan Shea points to distant waters before a dive. Awareness of Hong Kong's Marine Diversity Aids Conservation
A time-lapse photo shows a stream rushing through densely forested terrain that includes mossy rocks and fallen trees in the streambed and tall pines on the banks, all under a sunny sky. More Rivers Need Protection, Advocates Say
A winding river in Alaska, lined with green and yellow trees, a green river valley, and distant mountains. 4 Reasons to Improve Federal Land Conservation Policy
Montana State Capitol Building How Sustainable Is Your State's Pension Plan?
Composite image of modern city network communication concept

Learn the Basics of Broadband from Our Limited Series

Sign up for our four-week email course on Broadband Basics
Quick View

How does broadband internet reach our homes, phones, and tablets? What kind of infrastructure connects us all together? What are the major barriers to broadband access for American communities?