A new estimate suggests it would take about $1 billion to bring Arizona’s public school teacher salaries up to the national median of roughly $56,000 a year. That's if the state decided to meet that goal within a year.
Education advocacy group Expect More Arizona worked with the Arizona School Boards Association to develop the estimate.
Erin Hart is the interim president and CEO of Expect More Arizona. She said the estimate was meant to show just how far the state is from adequately supporting teachers, at least when it comes to pay.
"So I think the idea here is that we’re trying to elevate the need and why it’s important and talk about that long term funding solution that’s needed," Hart said. "And it may not happen overnight but it’s something we need to be working towards as a state."
Compensation is only part of the equation for attracting and retaining teachers in Arizona. She said mentor support and professional development are also important factors.
