Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine signed legislation Friday that would bring teacher salaries across the state closer to the national average.
The law, sponsored by Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple, D-Arlington, requires the Virginia Department of Human Resource Management to review teacher pay so that is it comparable to other states. The bill also requires teachers to go through a regular evaluation.
The average national teacher salary in the 2003-04 school year was $46,752, according to the National Education Association. During the same school year, Virginia ranked 21st in the nation with an average salary of $43,655. The District was ranked second with an average salary of $57,009 and Maryland was 12th with $50,261.
“Virginia’s teachers do an incredible job educating our young people, and that effort is reflected in substantial increases in student achievement. However, we still have more to do to boost salaries at least to the national average, and to ensure accountability and encourage professional development through meaningful evaluations,” Kaine said.
“The state has been reluctant to take this on and define it,” said Rick Baumgartner, Fairfax Education Association president, who added the governor made good on a campaign promise with thislegislation.
Baumgartner said 78 percent of teachers leave the field in the first five years. He said the cost of living in Northern Virginia and working conditions are two factors in why teachers leave.
“Some districts in Virginia have 25 [percent] to 30 percent attrition annually,” he said.
Northern Virginia teachers are paid higher than the nation’s average, said Keith Johnson with Prince William County Schools. The average salary in Prince William is $52,920, he said, noting the county also already does teacher evaluations.
The General Assembly agreed to give teachers a 4 percent raise this year and 1.5 percent raise next year.
