Teacher Pay

A new poll from St. Louis University and YouGov found support for increased funding for some education initiatives but growing discontent with public schools in Missouri.

St. Louis-area school leaders are trying to find unique benefits to attract in-demand workers.

The Missouri legislative session is more than halfway finished, and many bills affecting schools are making their way through the Capitol.

Last year, a temporary solution raised pay for some teachers. This year, educators are asking for a permanent increase in teacher salaries.

Kem Smith’s advice column, ‘After the Bell,’ answers questions from educators across the country who are in all stages of their careers.

The state’s commission on teacher recruitment and retention says Missouri should find a way to pay teachers more.

A professor who studies rural schools in Missouri says the teacher shortage is now a crisis, and condensed schedules reflect that.

Missouri’s average starting teacher salary ranks as one of the lowest in the nation. Educators recounted that new and veteran teachers often have to find second jobs to make ends meet.

It’s part of an effort to study the teacher shortage in the state and make policy changes to address high turnover rates.

The budget bill that includes grants to pay for teacher raises will only cover the next school year, are optional and require the districts to pay for part of the raise.