Compensation, Benefits & Pensions Archives

30-Min Webinar: Districts now have more staff than ever. And fewer students. What happens next?

debraabritt2023-09-14T19:05:58+00:00

With the end of ESSER looming, and tighter state budgets, districts know they can’t afford their expanded labor force. Is now the time to rethink the age-old strategy that the best way to serve students is to add more staff?

30-Min Webinar: Districts now have more staff than ever. And fewer students. What happens next?debraabritt2023-09-14T19:05:58+00:00

Webinars

Educators Beware: As budget cuts loom, now is NOT the time to quit your job

debraabritt2023-06-08T22:52:51+00:00

The staffing-enrollment mismatch spells financial trouble for school districts, and an end to the hiring spree of the last few years, write Katie Silberstein and Marguerite Roza at The 74.

Educators Beware: As budget cuts loom, now is NOT the time to quit your jobdebraabritt2023-06-08T22:52:51+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Federal Data: Schools Have Been Adding Teachers Even As They Serve Fewer Students

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:12+00:00

For schools to improve their services and respond to student needs, it’s important to be precise about the exact staffing challenges they face, writes Chad Aldeman at The 74.

Federal Data: Schools Have Been Adding Teachers Even As They Serve Fewer Studentsdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:12+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Time to Change the District Budget Dance

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:15+00:00

Getting maximum value from available dollars is imperative, and may require some changes to the traditional budget process, writes Marguerite Roza in School Business Affairs Magazine.

Time to Change the District Budget Dancedebraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:15+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Why Are Fewer People Becoming Teachers?

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:15+00:00

What caused the decline in teacher-preparation enrollments and completions? Until we diagnose the problem accurately, we won’t be able to devise solutions to fix it, writes Chad Aldeman in Education Next.

Why Are Fewer People Becoming Teachers?debraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:15+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

On a Per-Student Basis, School Staffing Levels Are Hitting All-Time Highs

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:17+00:00

Schools in 46 states effectively lowered their teacher-student ratios by continuing to hire while enrollment has dropped, writes Chad Aldeman at The 74.

On a Per-Student Basis, School Staffing Levels Are Hitting All-Time Highsdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:17+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Financial Innovations During COVID Show Schools Can Be Nimble When They Have To

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:18+00:00

When districts break out of deeply ingrained expenditure habits, it's a big deal. Roza & Silberstein share four financial practices that emerged during the pandemic that we hope will last.

Financial Innovations During COVID Show Schools Can Be Nimble When They Have Todebraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:18+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

4 Ways State Leaders Can Lower Teacher Pension Costs

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:18+00:00

State and district leaders could simultaneously reduce retirement costs and improve benefits for teachers, writes Chad Aldeman.

4 Ways State Leaders Can Lower Teacher Pension Costsdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:18+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Responding to a Tight Teacher Labor Market

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:34+00:00

In this article in School Business Affairs Magazine, the authors outline the types of innovative compensation strategies some districts are using to attract and retain talent in response to a tight labor market.

Responding to a Tight Teacher Labor Marketdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:34+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

There Is No ‘Big Quit’ in K-12 Education. But Schools Have Specific Labor Challenges That Need Targeted Solutions

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:42+00:00

There is no 'Big Quit' in K-12 education. But schools have specific labor challenges that need targeted solutions, writes Chad Aldeman in The 74.

There Is No ‘Big Quit’ in K-12 Education. But Schools Have Specific Labor Challenges That Need Targeted Solutionsdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:42+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

How COVID-19 Ushered in a Wave of Promising Teacher Pay Reforms

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:44+00:00

This brief outlines the types of teacher pay innovations popping up in the midst of the pandemic, explains why they matter, and highlights some of the districts trying them. It remains to be seen whether some of these innovations may live on beyond the pandemic if district leaders find them effective.

How COVID-19 Ushered in a Wave of Promising Teacher Pay Reformsdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:44+00:00

Articles & Publications

There’s a fiscal cliff coming, and some districts appear hell-bent on making it worse

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:51+00:00

Districts are right to worry about a fiscal cliff when federal relief aid runs out, cautions Marguerite Roza, but leaders have options beyond handwringing.

There’s a fiscal cliff coming, and some districts appear hell-bent on making it worsedebraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:51+00:00

Articles & Publications

From Paying Parents to Transport Their Kids to School to Calling Out the National Guard — Innovating in the Face of a Bus Driver Shortage

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:08+00:00

How districts react to unusual labor challenges like the bus driver shortage may tell us whether they can adapt to meet the moment and which, if any, will consider adopting innovations common in industries outside of education.

From Paying Parents to Transport Their Kids to School to Calling Out the National Guard — Innovating in the Face of a Bus Driver Shortagedebraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:08+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Districts Like San Diego Could Be Locking Themselves Into Painful Cuts Down the Road

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:09+00:00

Rather than making long-term commitments that can lead to financial stress down the road, Chad Aldeman suggests there are other ways for districts to both raise pay and build capacity.

Districts Like San Diego Could Be Locking Themselves Into Painful Cuts Down the Roaddebraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:09+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Teacher Dissatisfaction May Be High, But So Are Retention Rates

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:17+00:00

Across Washington state, public schools retained a higher percentage of teachers last year than they do in normal years. That's important information for school district leaders as they decide how to spend the windfall of federal relief funds headed their way.

Teacher Dissatisfaction May Be High, But So Are Retention Ratesdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:17+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Billions of Federal Funds Are Coming to Schools. How Should They Spend Them?

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:18+00:00

Adding staff has been the main “big bet” in public education for decades. With new federal relief aid heading to schools, will district leaders meet the moment with new and different ideas for what students need now?

Billions of Federal Funds Are Coming to Schools. How Should They Spend Them?debraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:18+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

By Paying Stipends to Schools’ Teaching Staff, Districts Can Add Learning Time Without Breaking the Bank

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:20+00:00

In this commentary at The 74, Chad Aldeman shows how offering current teachers stipends to take on more hours could provide students with additional learning time without locking districts into long-term financial obligations.

By Paying Stipends to Schools’ Teaching Staff, Districts Can Add Learning Time Without Breaking the Bankdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:20+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

A way to ease student loan debt without sticking taxpayers with the bill: How about a trade?

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:22+00:00

In this Forbes commentary, Marguerite Roza proposes a way for the federal government to provide student debt relief while putting SS/Medicare back on a financially sustainable path.

A way to ease student loan debt without sticking taxpayers with the bill: How about a trade?debraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:22+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

30-Min Webinar: Teacher Labor Market Trends and What They Mean For District Budgets

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:23+00:00

In this webinar, we share what we're learning from the data on teacher turnover and discuss how the current fiscal conditions should inform staffing and salaries as districts navigate budget and hiring season.

30-Min Webinar: Teacher Labor Market Trends and What They Mean For District Budgetsdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:23+00:00

Webinars

How Lawmakers Can Raise Teacher Pay Without Decimating Pension Funds

jordan2023-02-25T18:20:56+00:00

In this op-ed, Marguerite Roza analyzes how making any near-term teacher raises non-pensionable could impact state governments and K-12 teachers and students.

How Lawmakers Can Raise Teacher Pay Without Decimating Pension Fundsjordan2023-02-25T18:20:56+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Could states save money if raises during a recession were designated as non-pensionable?

jordan2023-02-25T18:20:57+00:00

This brief examines how making raises non-pensionable would impact teacher pensions and government pension debt.

Could states save money if raises during a recession were designated as non-pensionable?jordan2023-02-25T18:20:57+00:00

Articles & Publications

A free college plan that pays for itself

jordan2023-02-25T18:20:58+00:00

In this op ed published by The Hill, Marguerite Roza proposes a way for the federal government to pay for college without boosting federal debt or burdening taxpayers.

A free college plan that pays for itselfjordan2023-02-25T18:20:58+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

What Role Should the Federal Government Play in Addressing State and Municipal Pension Debts?

jordan2023-02-25T18:20:59+00:00

In this guest blog post, Marguerite Roza shares how the federal government might address state and municipal pension debt in the midst of budget shortfalls due to COVID-19.

What Role Should the Federal Government Play in Addressing State and Municipal Pension Debts?jordan2023-02-25T18:20:59+00:00

Opinion

The Big Bet on Adding Staff to Improve Schools Is Breaking the Bank

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:21:03+00:00

By going all-in on staffing, we’ve crowded out other potential investments that can positively impact student learning. In this paper, Marguerite Roza writes that competing strategies should be viewed through the lens of which can do the most for students with the limited dollars at hand.

The Big Bet on Adding Staff to Improve Schools Is Breaking the Bankdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:21:03+00:00

Articles & Publications

One Reason Millennials Might Say “OK Boomer” This Holiday Season

debraabritt2023-02-25T17:29:06+00:00

Past generations racked up billions in teacher pension debt and younger generations are now expected to pay for it. This blog shows how a multi-generational discussion of that topic might play out.

One Reason Millennials Might Say “OK Boomer” This Holiday Seasondebraabritt2023-02-25T17:29:06+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Chicago Teachers Nearing Retirement Paid a Big Price in Striking

debraabritt2023-02-25T17:29:07+00:00

Chicago's senior teachers got hit with a double whammy. As we discuss in this blog, for those at the top of the pay scale retiring in the next four years, the strike meant lost wages and a decrease in future pension payments.

Chicago Teachers Nearing Retirement Paid a Big Price in Strikingdebraabritt2023-02-25T17:29:07+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Leaders Ignored Teacher Pension Debt. Now There’s Less Money for Teacher Salaries and Students

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:12:57+00:00

This brief quantifies, in per pupil and per teacher terms, the magnitude of the crowd-out that pension debt creates for six states: CA, IL, LA, SC, TX, and VT. The goal is to help education leaders grasp the relationship between their pension debt bills and their aspirations for spending on schooling inputs, including teacher salaries.

Leaders Ignored Teacher Pension Debt. Now There’s Less Money for Teacher Salaries and Studentsdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:12:57+00:00

Articles & Publications

Chicago’s Teachers Union Agreed to Give Spending Control to Principals. Now, the Union Is Striking to Take It Away

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:12:59+00:00

Chicago teacher contract negotiations stalled over who controls staffing decisions in schools. In this commentary, Marguerite Roza explains why principals should be entrusted to make the spending decisions that best serve their students.

Chicago’s Teachers Union Agreed to Give Spending Control to Principals. Now, the Union Is Striking to Take It Awaydebraabritt2023-02-25T18:12:59+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

A Way to Get School Finances Back Under Control

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:13:03+00:00

This commentary lays out why it may be time for states to establish agencies modeled on the federal Government Accountability Office (GAO) to certify school district obligations before they take effect and push districts into financial crisis.

A Way to Get School Finances Back Under Controldebraabritt2023-02-25T18:13:03+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

The Equity Problem in Teacher Pensions

Laura Anderson2023-02-25T18:13:25+00:00

This brief shows how high-minority schools receive fewer dollars in pension wealth than low-minority schools within the same district, and makes the case for pension dollars to be more transparent and included in discussions around K-12 spending equity.

The Equity Problem in Teacher PensionsLaura Anderson2023-02-25T18:13:25+00:00

Articles & Publications

California Wisconsin Delaware Pennsylvania

Breaking tradition: A fixed-dollar pay raise strategy that benefits teachers and school districts

Laura Anderson2023-02-25T18:11:20+00:00

In this paper we examine both the degree to which pay systems for teachers are more heavily back-loaded than for many other professions and the ramifications of this steep salary curve for teachers, states and school districts.

Breaking tradition: A fixed-dollar pay raise strategy that benefits teachers and school districtsLaura Anderson2023-02-25T18:11:20+00:00

Articles & Publications

ALL

How the teacher pay raise formula could worsen Seattle’s inequity

Laura Anderson2023-02-25T18:11:21+00:00

In this oped Marguerite Roza describes one critical issue underlying the fall 2015 Seattle Public Schools teachers' strike that neither the Seattle School District nor the Seattle Education Association.

How the teacher pay raise formula could worsen Seattle’s inequityLaura Anderson2023-02-25T18:11:21+00:00

Opinion

Turning a Benefits Conundrum into a Potential Opportunity for Teachers and Students

Laura Anderson2023-02-25T18:11:23+00:00

This analysis shows how a longer work year could increase teachers’ annual salaries and improve student outcomes.

Turning a Benefits Conundrum into a Potential Opportunity for Teachers and StudentsLaura Anderson2023-02-25T18:11:23+00:00

Articles & Publications

ALL

Teachers’ Pensions and the Overgrazed Commons

Laura Anderson2023-02-25T18:11:24+00:00

Commentary by Marguerite Roza and Michael Podgursky on how big raises to teachers nearing retirement is a recipe for letting pension debt get out of control.

Teachers’ Pensions and the Overgrazed CommonsLaura Anderson2023-02-25T18:11:24+00:00

Opinion

ALL

Paying the Best Teachers More to Teach More Students

Laura Anderson2023-02-25T18:11:26+00:00

In this analysis we find how allowing our best teachers to teach more students in lieu of hiring additional staff could offer significant teacher bonuses. Findings are modeled state-by-state.

Paying the Best Teachers More to Teach More StudentsLaura Anderson2023-02-25T18:11:26+00:00

Articles & Publications

How Late-Career Raises Drive Teacher-Pension Debt

Laura Anderson2023-02-25T18:11:29+00:00

In this paper we model the impacts of late-term raises on teacher pension obligations showing that on average each dollar raise triggers $10 to $16 in new taxpayer obligations and provide suggestions to mitigate such impacts while improving incentives for early and mid career teachers.

How Late-Career Raises Drive Teacher-Pension DebtLaura Anderson2023-02-25T18:11:29+00:00

Articles & Publications

california New Jersey Illinois

Rethinking Class Size to Expand Access to Best Teachers and Raise Pay

Laura Anderson2023-02-25T18:11:37+00:00

In this presentation at the annual Association for Education Finance and Policy conference, we share our exploration and cost modeling of cost-neutral options to raise teacher pay and give more students access to the best teachers.

Rethinking Class Size to Expand Access to Best Teachers and Raise PayLaura Anderson2023-02-25T18:11:37+00:00

Presentations & Meetings

Texas

The SEA of the Future: Prioritizing Productivity

Laura Anderson2023-02-25T18:08:08+00:00

In this volume of The SEA of the Future, Marguerite Roza co-authored two essays examining how state leaders, challenged with having to make decisions on how to use limited resources, are faced with an uneasy zero-sum game: every dollar they put into one program is a dollar not spent in another.

The SEA of the Future: Prioritizing ProductivityLaura Anderson2023-02-25T18:08:08+00:00

Articles & Publications

Teacher Retirement Benefits: Defining a More Active Role for SEAs and Their Chiefs

Laura Anderson2023-02-25T18:08:09+00:00

In this essay from The SEA of the Future Volume 2, Marguerite Roza and Michael Podgursky look in depth at the startling long-term costs of educator pension systems and the counterproductive employment incentives embedded in these systems.

Teacher Retirement Benefits: Defining a More Active Role for SEAs and Their ChiefsLaura Anderson2023-02-25T18:08:09+00:00

Articles & Publications

What Happens to Teacher Salaries During a Recession?

Laura Anderson2023-02-25T18:08:18+00:00

This study uses data from Seattle Public Schools to explore actual salary changes amidst rapid changes in economic context and the effect of the recession on teacher pay.

What Happens to Teacher Salaries During a Recession?Laura Anderson2023-02-25T18:08:18+00:00

Articles & Publications

Q&A on the Chicago Teachers Contract Math

Laura Anderson2023-02-25T18:08:19+00:00

This brief examines the real numbers on the Chicago teachers contract costs.

Q&A on the Chicago Teachers Contract MathLaura Anderson2023-02-25T18:08:19+00:00

Articles & Publications

Chicago Teacher Salaries in the Regional Chicago Context

Laura Anderson2023-02-25T18:08:20+00:00

This brief examines how Chicago teacher salaries compare in regional and national contexts.

Chicago Teacher Salaries in the Regional Chicago ContextLaura Anderson2023-02-25T18:08:20+00:00

Articles & Publications

The Sheepskin Effect and Student Achievement: De-emphasizing the Role of Master’s Degrees in Teacher Compensation

Laura Anderson2023-02-25T18:08:20+00:00

This brief dissects the nation’s sizable investment in master’s bumps as a means of highlighting policy obstacles to a more smartly differentiated compensation approach.

The Sheepskin Effect and Student Achievement: De-emphasizing the Role of Master’s Degrees in Teacher CompensationLaura Anderson2023-02-25T18:08:20+00:00

Articles & Publications

All

The Promise of Cafeteria-Style Benefits for Districts and Teachers

Laura Anderson2023-02-25T18:08:23+00:00

While typical school district plans offer a one-size-fits-all package of benefits to employees, cafeteria plans allow employees to customize their benefits within a given cost, an option districts may want to consider.

The Promise of Cafeteria-Style Benefits for Districts and TeachersLaura Anderson2023-02-25T18:08:23+00:00

Articles & Publications

Washington State High Schools Pay Less for Math and Science Teachers than for Teachers in Other Subjects

Laura Anderson2023-02-25T18:08:24+00:00

This paper examines the reasons why math and science teachers struggle to reach the same salaries as others, concluding that the state-wide salary schedule is in part to blame.

Washington State High Schools Pay Less for Math and Science Teachers than for Teachers in Other SubjectsLaura Anderson2023-02-25T18:08:24+00:00

Articles & Publications

Washington

The Disproportionate Impact of Seniority-Based Layoffs on Poor, Minority Students

Laura Anderson2023-02-25T17:45:52+00:00

A study of California's 15 largest districts indicates that "last in, first out" policies disproportionately affect the programs and students in their poorer and more minority schools than in their wealthier, less minority counterparts.

The Disproportionate Impact of Seniority-Based Layoffs on Poor, Minority StudentsLaura Anderson2023-02-25T17:45:52+00:00

Articles & Publications

California

Beyond Teacher Reassignments: Better Ways Districts Can Remedy Salary Inequities Across Schools

Laura Anderson2023-02-25T17:45:21+00:00

This brief demonstrates how, contrary to common worry, closing Title I's "comparability provision" loophole would not force districts to mandatorily reassign teachers.

Beyond Teacher Reassignments: Better Ways Districts Can Remedy Salary Inequities Across SchoolsLaura Anderson2023-02-25T17:45:21+00:00

Articles & Publications

K-12 Financial Landscape

Student-Based Allocation

School-by-School Spending