Science Standards: Value the Teachers

A. I. Leshner et al. 's Editorial “Seeking science standards” (28 May, p. [1075][1]) provides a good plan for developing consistent K–12 science standards. I would like to add that increased teacher salaries must be considered. The United States needs to do a much better job in attracting the best U.S. college students into K–12 teaching careers. Improved salaries will yield increased respect for K–12 teachers. South Korea, often ranked in the top tier of K–12 science achievement, has a starting teacher salary equal to 141% of the country's per capita GDP ([ 1 ][2], [ 2 ][3]). The United States, ranked much lower, has a starting teacher salary that is only 81% of the U.S. per capita GDP ([ 1 ][2], [ 2 ][3]). Any improvement in science education will have to include valuing teachers more highly. The Editorial also notes that scientists must be more involved in improving U.S. science education, but this is easier said than done. Until federal research grants require recipients to be more involved in education and until U.S. universities give credit toward tenure and promotion for such activities, the culture will not change. 1. [↵][4]1. J. Roy , “Compared to other countries, U.S. flunks in teacher pay,” Economic Policy Institute, 2 April 2008. 2. [↵][5][www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0923110.html][6], International comparison of math, reading, and science skills among 15 year-olds, charts compiled with The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development 2003 database. [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.1192334 [2]: #ref-1 [3]: #ref-2 [4]: #xref-ref-1-1 View reference 1 in text [5]: #xref-ref-2-1 View reference 2 in text [6]: http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0923110.html