Teachers

Many schools are cutting teachers due to declining student enrollment. Since 1950 student enrollment has increased but the number of teachers and non-teaching staff has grown at a faster rate. Non-teaching staff, largely administrative positions, have increased by 700% since 1950 while teacher numbers have increased by 250% over the same time period. The dramatic increase in non-teaching staff began to accelerate in the early 1990’s, a period referred to as the modern staffing surge. Schools have justified this increase in hiring staff by taking on more responsibility beyond teaching. Some suggest that if cuts are necessary then they should look first at these extra responsibilities and not cut teachers. Many of these people were described pejoratively as paper pushers but each position can be justified by those in charge.