Over the course of our nation’s history, the structure of teacher compensation has varied and changed to fit the needs of the time. The current pay structure, introduced over 85 years ago, was designed for another era. If policymakers are serious about improving the quality of teachers in the classroom, they need to tie teacher pay to teacher quality.
K-12 Education
The Ice Cream Test Lincoln Would Have Understood
A few weeks ago, I received a call from a very frustrated friend. She is exactly the kind of teacher every parent hopes their child gets. She is dedicated, thoughtful, and has high expectations for her students. The issue that prompted her call was not a disagreement over curriculum or school resources, but ice cream....
June 25, 2026