By Trimmel Gomes, Florida News Connection
In Summary:
Florida continues to rank last in the nation for average teacher pay, with salaries well below the national average, according to a new report from the National Education Association. Education leaders warn that low pay is leading to teacher shortages and classroom disruptions across the state. Lawmakers have proposed funding for raises, but a budget impasse has left the issue unresolved ahead of a scheduled special session.
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Florida ranks 50th among all U.S. states for average teacher pay for the third straight year, according to a new report from the National Education Association.
A budget stalemate in Tallahassee leaves the fate of future raises uncertain.
Related: Successful K-12 proposals address teacher shortages, safety, and unions.
Andrew Spar, president of the Florida Education Association, said the low pay is not just a number; it is disrupting classrooms. He pointed out that his own 11th-grade daughter has lost teachers midyear in science, dance, English, and anatomy because schools could not find replacements.
"This has real-world implications for our students," Spar emphasized. "When our students don't have a highly qualified, fully trained, certified teacher in the classroom, they are losing instructional time."
The DeSantis administration said Florida is "the education state" and has proposed $1.56 billion for teacher pay raises. The national report showed that Florida pays its teachers an average of about $56,000, well below the national average of about $74,000, and that inflation has erased most of the gains. It also includes the latest data on student enrollment and the amount of money schools receive from federal, state, and local sources.
Spar argued the state is failing its own constitutional promise.
"The Constitution in Article Nine, Section One said, 'We the people of the State of Florida value education and want strong public schools for every child as a constitutional right,'" Spar stressed. "Florida appears to be failing in its constitutional obligation."
The Florida Education Association is calling on lawmakers to increase investment to retain teachers and support staff, who now earn an average of just over $34,000 per year. For now, the teacher pay budget is stuck in Tallahassee until a special session on May 12.
Key Points:
- Florida ranks 50th in average teacher pay for the third straight year
- The average teacher salary is about $56,000, compared to roughly $74,000 nationally
- Educators say low pay is contributing to teacher shortages and midyear vacancies
- The state has proposed $1.56 billion for raises, but funding is tied up in a budget stalemate
- A special legislative session is scheduled for May 12 to address the issue
