Bill Overview
Title: American Teacher Act
Description: This bill directs the Department of Education to award four-year grants to states and, through them, subgrants to local educational agencies to establish a minimum annual salary of $60,000 (adjusted for inflation) for public elementary and secondary school teachers.
Sponsors: Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]
Target Audience
Population: Public elementary and secondary school teachers
Estimated Size: 3200000
- There are approximately 5 million public school teachers in the United States, including both elementary and secondary school teachers.
- The global impact would primarily focus on public school teachers as other types of teachers like private school teachers or educators in other educational systems wouldn't be eligible for this salary minimum.
- Similarly, teachers outside the U.S. wouldn't be directly impacted as the bill is targeted at U.S. education:
- The inflation adjustment means future calculations need to account for raising salaries over time according to economic conditions, potentially affecting a larger number of teachers if retention is influenced by salary changes.
- Additionally, those indirectly impacted would involve families of teachers due to improved income, and students through potential impacts on teacher recruitment and retention.
Reasoning
- The policy specifically targets public elementary and secondary school teachers, which is about 3.2 million teachers in the U.S. These are directly impacted by the salary change.
- Many teachers are currently underpaid, and a minimum salary of $60,000 could significantly improve their financial situation, potentially boosting their wellbeing.
- The policy does not affect private school teachers or educators from different sectors, so there's a broad spectrum of potential impacts, primarily indirect for those outside the direct target.
- Non-teaching staff at schools wouldn't see direct salary benefits from this policy but might experience changes due to budget reallocations.
- Family members of teachers could experience improved household financial stability, which can enhance overall family wellbeing.
Simulated Interviews
Public elementary school teacher (Texas)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I love teaching, but salary has always been a concern. This pay raise would make it more viable for me to stay in this profession long-term.
- A $60,000 salary would allow me to start saving for a house and feel less stressed about monthly expenses.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Public high school teacher (California)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a step in the right direction, but benefits need to be sustained beyond four years.
- We need better support for current teachers to keep them in the field, not just for aspiring teachers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Private middle school teacher (Florida)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I currently earn less than $60,000, and the allure of a public school job with this pay is tempting.
- The policy could create a competitive salary arena, pushing private schools to offer more.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Public secondary school teacher (New York)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This change is long overdue. It will surely help in retaining quality teachers in our schools.
- Though nearing retirement, improvements in pay could have helped manage long-term financial planning better over years.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Public elementary school teacher (Illinois)
Age: 24 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 17/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm at the start of my career and having a guaranteed minimum salary helps lessen anxiety about financial stability.
- The policy also validates my choice to enter a profession I'm passionate about.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Stay-at-home parent (Ohio)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If salaries improve, I might return to teaching. This policy makes it more desirable.
- As a former teacher, I know how challenging the profession is and adequate compensation would make it worthwhile.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Public elementary school teacher (Georgia)
Age: 36 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The stress of low income while balancing additional roles is exhausting; a proper salary would help me focus more on teaching.
- This attracts more talent and retains current teachers battling financial burdens.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Public secondary school teacher (Nebraska)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any change towards better salaries in teaching is beneficial, but we also need to consider overall school funding and resources.
- It's a relief to see some systemic recognition of teachers' efforts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Retired public school teacher (Washington)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I wish this change had come when I was still teaching. It can provide needed financial security for future generations of teachers.
- I'm involved in advocacy for teachers, and this bill is a milestone.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Public middle school teacher (Virginia)
Age: 33 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This salary bump could help keep talented new teachers in public education.
- It's hard not to feel undervalued at times, and this policy appears to address part of that issue.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $9600000000 (Low: $8000000000, High: $11200000000)
Year 2: $9600000000 (Low: $8000000000, High: $11200000000)
Year 3: $9600000000 (Low: $8000000000, High: $11200000000)
Year 5: $9600000000 (Low: $8000000000, High: $11200000000)
Year 10: $11000000000 (Low: $9000000000, High: $13000000000)
Year 100: $20000000000 (Low: $15000000000, High: $25000000000)
Key Considerations
- Current variability in teacher salaries across states suggests different levels of financial impact from the bill.
- Federal grants may reduce states' fiscal capacity for other educational needs if they redirect current funding to raise salaries.
- Long-term education outcomes are uncertain, as research is mixed on direct correlation between teacher salaries and student performance outcomes.