Solving the teacher retention crisis: Give teachers the respect they deserve

Texas American Federation of Teachers President Zeph Capo argues that underpay, overwork, excessive test prep, and other issues are causing many teachers to leave the industry.

Zeph Capo is president of The Texas American Federation of Teachers, a statewide school-employee union representing some 65,000 members.

Other layers causing stress also contribute to teachers questioning their profession. You have the excessive test prep and punitive standardized testing system. There are the constant attacks from some elected officials branding teachers as pedophiles, groomers, indoctrinators, or librarians as purveyors of pornography. And now, tragically, there’s fear—the fear that inaction from our leaders will make their schools targets for mass shootings. 

Using data starting in 2010, Texas AFT and Every Texan evaluated how salaries kept up with the cost of living in our state. The resulting joint report, "The Lost Decade: Texas schools are underfunded & facing devastating staffing shortages," is grim. On average and adjusted for inflation, educators are making four percent less than in 2010. Averages don’t tell the whole story. For example, San Antonio Independent School District teachers are making nine percent less and Houston Independent School District teachers 13% less.