Our kids are our future. Therefore, teachers are one of the most important professions for Colorado and our nation at large. Technologically advanced age education matters even more.
Unfortunately, Colorado is now at or near the bottom for funding teachers and schools. Our state is 50th in teacher wage competitiveness, 49th in novice teachers entering the profession, 47th in pupil spending, 41st in pupil-teacher ratio, etc. Or, when compared to our neighboring state of Nebraska, we spend $4,332 less per pupil, or a whopping $8,037 less than Wyoming. These are depressing and dire numbers, which are due to the Taxpayer Bill of Rights causing our state to fall behind in education for the past 30 years.
Knowing this, why should any college student choose teaching as a profession that requires lots of commitment, while barely providing a living income? In other democracies, like Germany, Finland and South Korea, teachers enjoy high social status and are well paid, making teaching a sought after profession. In South Korea, primary schoolteachers have to score in the top 5% of college entrance exams to be accepted.
I was shocked when Proposition CC was voted down. To those who voted against Prop CC and continue to support TABOR, how you would improve Colorado’s educational rankings without increasing funding?
Well educated kids capable of excelling in today’s competitive world is one of the best financial investments we can make. Please tell us how this can be done without increasing funding.
Werner HeiberDurango
