Teachers need more than hope from state lawmakers
ver the past year, education and business leaders have differed on the best way to replenish depleted school coffers. But we stand united on two key fronts: Our children deserve better, and Oklahoma should bank on great teachers as its best education investment.
There are signs of progress. Teacher pay raise bills are advancing through the Legislature. We're grateful and optimistic that relief appears on the way. We also know it will take political leadership and courage to forge a compromise to fund the much needed pay raise.
Our organizations support new revenue to underwrite a sustainable, competitive pay plan that empowers school districts to retain great teachers and attract outstanding educators to the profession. We stand ready to build public support and help the legislature enact a reasonable plan.
March is when school districts across the state traditionally begin the process of hiring teachers for the next school year. They host and travel to job fairs, selling prospective teachers on their district, and in many cases, the merits of staying in Oklahoma. Sending a clear message that Oklahoma values teachers and the role they play in the lives of our children is critical to recruiting and retaining our top talent.
Business leaders know the importance of recruiting and retaining top talent. Turnover is expensive, both in terms of the training investment and in maintaining a culture that breeds trust and creativity. In schools, teacher churn inflicts an even greater cost: long-lasting damage to student achievement.
Oklahoma is flirting with the nation's worst teacher pay, and the state has abandoned class-size limits as budgets shrink. We need to give our schools a solution that helps them withstand these historic budget cuts and a devastating teacher shortage. State education officials have issued more than 1,000 emergency teaching certificates so more than 50,000 students are in classrooms with teachers who in years past wouldn't have made the hiring cut.
Public schools are collectively one of the largest employers in Tulsa and Oklahoma City —and that's true in many communities. Public education’s first purpose is preparing children for the future, but the ripple effect of education investment is far and wide, affecting quality of life, the workforce and economic development. Success in education generates more successful businesses and communities. Failure to invest in education threatens our state's economic development and community stability.
Research confirms that success in our schools begins and ends with the classroom teacher. Our Legislature must have no greater priority right now than funding a teacher pay raise for 2017-18 school year.
The education and business leaders we represent understand what's at stake. We need to act because delays come at a high cost as teachers make decisions now whether to leave the state or leave the profession. Teachers need more than hope. They need to know they can support their families while building our state's future prosperity. Our children deserve nothing less.