SDEA advocates for improved salaries for all educators—K-12 teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, and specialized instructional support personnel—to reflect a simple fact: they deserve it.
Educators have long had increasing day-to-day demands and responsibilities, from bus duty to coaching, counseling to leading additional classes, and buying basic supplies for their classes. Yet they are not paid for their expertise, expenses, and time. The Economic Policy Institute estimates that South Dakota teachers earn 17.3 percent less than comparable professionals, while the Learning Policy Institute reports that the wage gaps widens to 30 percent by mid-career.
Inadequate educator pay comes at a high cost for schools and children, who must deal with the ramifications of high turnover and teacher shortages. Our students in high-poverty schools see the greatest turnover.
Now is the time to join us in helping our affiliates and members fight for the compensation they deserve.
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