Public Opinion about Differential Pay for Science and Math Teachers Relative to Other Disciplines and Careers

Eugene Judson^1,

¹Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Arizona State University, Tempe, United States

Cite this paper:
Eugene Judson. Public Opinion about Differential Pay for Science and Math Teachers Relative to Other Disciplines and Careers. American Journal of Educational Research. 2022; 10(2):99-102. doi: 10.12691/education-10-2-4

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess public opinion in the United States regarding differential pay for science and math teachers. The few studies that have examined this topic have either relied on direct opinion surveys or assessed the effects of a differential pay program after it is in place. To yield more genuine data aligned with public sentiment, a representative sample of adults living in the United States completed a series of seven activities in which they ranked seven occupations according to how they believed each should be paid relative to one another. Across the seven activities, six of the careers remained constant and those were all non-teaching careers. The seventh career varied as the relative ranking of science and math teachers was compared to other teaching roles. Results revealed that the public equivalently ranked different teacher roles and did not assess science and math teachers at a higher or lower rank than teachers of other disciplines.

Keywords:
differential pay STEM science math teachers

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