Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grade Teacher? Survey Says: Maybe Not.
This year, Teacher Appreciation Week begins on Monday, May 4 and ends today, on Friday, May 8. And while many K-12 families already acknowledge the compassion, dedication, and hard work of educators, this year, that sentiment is very probably unanimous—thanks in large part to the school closures forced by COVID-19.
We recently surveyed 1,381 parents of K-12 students living in the U.S. to learn more about their experience with remote education and their changing perception of teachers. Here’s what we discovered:
Of the parents we surveyed, 95% are engaging in some form of home learning. 64% of parents are spending two or more hours educating their children, while 27% are spending four or more hours doing so.
70% of respondents are concerned that their teaching won’t align to school requirements or state standards. Perhaps relatedly, 68% of parents worry that their kids will fall below grade-level expectations.
At the middle and high school level, more than 50% of respondents believe that their children don’t view them as effective educators. Parents are particularly anxious about teaching math, foreign language, and science.
91% of parents already have increased respect for their children’s teachers. 80% also believe that teachers should be paid more.
From unpacking and weaving Common Core state standards into daily lessons, to engaging students who are hesitant to learn, teachers play a tremendous role in our kids’ educational paths. As the coronavirus pandemic forces both teachers and parents to abruptly pivot, Varsity Tutors applauds the efforts of both “traditional” teachers and new, “by necessity” instructors. Happy Teacher Appreciation Week.
Survey data originally appeared in The Wall Street Journal.