Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D.

To the Editor:

Too much blame for the problems with our education system is placed on teachers’ unions. If the point is to attract the most talented and motivated teachers, there is a simple solution: Pay them!

If teaching were seen as a road to financial security, competition for positions would intensify, and schools would have greater choice and bargaining power over applicants.

Further reducing the job security of teachers—many of whom have graduate degrees and are already shamefully underpaid—will do nothing but make teaching seem even less appealing.

Law firms, hedge funds, hospitals and every other institution that hires professionals understand that compensation affects the caliber of their employees. Why should education be any different?

Nathaniel Falda
West Orange, N.J., Oct. 15, 2009

Note from KBJ: Teachers are paid in accordance with their market value. If you want to make money, go into some other line of work.