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Teaching salary summary page for the state of Minnesota Salary range (2007 – 2008): $20,131 - $68,612 Average teacher salary (Aug. – Oct. 2007): $47,393 Average beginning teacher salary (2005 – 2006): $29,907 Median household income (Oct. 2007): $57,125 Median house price (Aug. – Oct. 2006): $196,812 Per-Pupil Spending: $7,691 Cents spent on benefits for every dollar paid as salary: 27.1¢ Grade: Summary: Teacher recruiting and retention is a growing crisis nationwide but is seen worst in Minnesota. Minnesota today is facing a curriculum quality crisis. Finding qualified certified teachers is a statewide problem but it hits Minnesota real hard. Minnesota school leaders are moving slowly when it comes to changing the way they pay teachers. Only 15 districts have made the switch so far from dumping the old system of automatic teacher salary increases based on seniority and education levels to Q Comp performance and professional pay program. To facilitate the switch, districts were offered $260 per student additional income when they decide to switch and got their approval for the switch of the pay system that is based on test scores and other performance measures. Q Comp is a designed structured professional development and evaluation program as well as an alternative pay schedule that compensates teachers based on performance linked to academic achievement. This involves local peer evaluation based on skills, responsibilities and student academic growth. High school teachers who coach sports or supervise other extracurricular activities may be paid extra for their work. High school teachers may also advance into positions that require special knowledge with more responsibilities for a higher pay. This program requires structured training and evaluation sessions for all teachers and watch achievement being made before rewards follow. Jobs availability depends heavily on geographical location and this is the very reason Minnesota is still allowing home schooling in their state. Every child 7 and 16 years of age must receive instruction where attendance is compulsory. Parents who do not hold teaching credentials or baccalaureate degree must provide quarterly report cards but if they have a degree lesser reporting requirements were solicited. The state monitor that every instruction fulfills basic curriculum requirement such as communication skills including reading and writing, literature and fine arts, mathematics and science, social studies, health and physical education. Limited funding in the state makes it more difficult to attract teachers. However increased emphasis on standardized test performance drives a newly found set of learning priorities which is fast becoming a norm and that is teaching to the test than raise student achievement. Education administrators are doing their best to augment teachers pay and raise standards of education of the schools. Links: AFT teacher’s salaries in Minnesota Return to the Average Teacher Salary Main Page
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