There were 2.3 million teachers in the US in 2008, representing around 2% of the population. The student-teacher ratio is 1:12, but this varies. The US teacher population has tripled, leading some to suggest there are too many. Women make up the majority of teachers, and many female teachers struggle to support a family on their salary. There is a lack of adequate cultural representation among teachers, which is a concern in urban areas where minority children are at risk of criminal behavior.
According to the Occupational Employment Statistics Survey, there were approximately 2.3 million teachers employed at the elementary and middle school levels in the United States in 2008. When census information includes preschools, high schools, special education teachers, and college instructors, the number rises to about 6.1 million.
The total population of the United States exceeds 300 million. In estimated figures, this means that teachers represent around 2% of the total population. There are an estimated 76 million students enrolled in the country, which is a ratio of 1 to 12. This is rarely the ratio, however, as a fair share of the jobs held by teachers can teach fewer students. For example, a part-time college professor might teach just one class, or a special education teacher might teach just a handful of students.
It should be noted, however, that while the US student population has doubled in recent years, the US teacher population has tripled. This leads some to suggest that there are too many. Indeed, in some areas, it is extremely difficult to entice teachers to work.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), teachers are also mainly women. The BLS found that 97.8% of those employed in preschool and kindergarten are women, while women account for 54.9% of those in secondary schools, 49.2% in high schools and 86% of special education teachers. Many attribute a greater share of women to the salary which in many parts of the country is not sufficient to support a family. However, many female teachers individually support a family out of their salaries, although this remains a challenge.
The average teacher in California, for example, may not earn enough to purchase a home in most areas of the state. Most of the more populated parts of California who are homeowners, are able to do so by combining earnings with that of a spouse. Urban teachers can get the most, but they have to compete with higher housing costs in most large cities. This means that they can rarely be said to exist comfortably on their paychecks.
The data also shows that 9.3% of elementary and middle school teachers are black and 7.1% are Hispanic. The Asian community is even less represented, with 2.4% at this education level being Asian. These figures are cause for concern as they do not align with the racial makeup of the United States. Predominantly Hispanic or Black schools might be lucky to have one or two teachers who come from their culture, and therefore serve as role models for a community.
Concern about the lack of adequate cultural representation is particularly great in urban areas where minority children living in poverty are more at risk of criminal behaviour. With fewer teacher role models belonging to the same culture, attempting to join gangs or simply losing interest in school is more prevalent. Like all people, children need connections, community, and a sense of belonging. In neighborhoods dominated by one race, teachers of the same race may help provide a sense of community, which those of a different race may not provide. There are exceptions noted. Yet many hope to encourage more minorities to teach so that minorities have more representation in education.
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