News

November 12, 2010

by Chris Thomas, Public News Service-WA

SEATTLE - It's an idea that, in this economy, is bound to raise some eyebrows. A new book by a University of Washington economist suggests that the way to get education out of its slump is to pay teachers more - a lot more.

Dick Startz, Castor Professor of Economics and author of "Profit of Education," says his national research found if teachers were paid like other types of highly educated professionals, they would be making about 40 percent more than they do now. Because Americans think of teaching as a calling, like the ministry or charitable work, schools often pay accordingly, he explains, so it's hard to keep the best and brightest in the classroom.

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When the Legislature cut funding to higher education last year, the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (the governing body for our 34 community and technical colleges) dup up an obscure state law from the 1980s. (read more)

Watch a video on YouTube of Hilda, a student whose ESL classes have been cut due to the state budget crisis.

This summer, many of those fresh out of graduate school are preparing to begin their teaching careers. A fortunate few have already been hired to fill tenure-track positions, but many will find themselves on the unexpected and convoluted pathway of “contingent faculty.” With 70 percent or more of college classes taught by part-time faculty, the opportunities for full-time careers are rare. Many will accept part-time teaching assignments with the hope that it will build their résumés and be a step closer to the tenure track. At least that was what I thought when I accepted my first part-time teaching assignment. For me, when I was recently offered a full-time, tenure-track position as an English composition instructor at Green River Community College, it was the end of a 20-year journey.  [Read the full article]

by Barbara McKenna

Kathleen Lopez comes from a family of teachers. Her mother was an adjunct professor until she retired two years ago at the age of 82. Her daughter has a doctorate and is headed down an education path. Lopez hopes her daughter's degree will lead her through the hallowed hallways of academe, not along the asphalt roadways that have marked Lopez's teacher career. [read more]

Special note: Article features our faculty and work in Olympia on the Faculty and College Excellence Act: Phil Jack and Robin Etheridge.