A disturbing new report from the National Center for Education Statistics highlighted the bloat in our public schools over since 2000:
- 5% increase in nationwide student enrollment
- 10% more teachers
- 39% increase in principals and assistant principals
- 95% increase in administrative staff
- Teacher salaries flat when adjusted for inflation
This continues the multi-decade trend at more bureaucracy in our school systems. One report highlighted between 1950 and 2015, while student population doubled and teacher population tripled, administrative staff increased by 700%.
This is not entirely the school systems’ fault. The federal and state governments often levy reporting requirements on them which dictate the need for additional staffing. That “administrivia” needs to be reduced or eliminated so we can free up funds to pay out teachers competitive salaries.
The Public-School System Is a Jobs Program for Administrators | National Review
