Are Public School Teachers Considered Government Employees?

Education is considered an essential foundation for sustainable development by the United Nations and is one of the factors used to determine how developed a nation is. The United States continuously creates policies and provides funding, which is aimed at strengthening the educational system in the country. Hence, American schools rank as one of the highest in providing quality education globally. In 2021, a total amount of 97,568 public schools existed in the United States. Let us know ‘Are Public School Teachers Considered Government Employees?’.

According to the National Centre for Education Statistics, the latest available data reveals there are approximately 3.5 million full-time and part-time public-school teachers. 

Are Public School Teachers Considered Government Employees?

Public schools are regulated and funded by state and/or local governments in the United States. Hence, public school teachers are considered government employees and are usually employed by local school districts in the state they work in.

Educational Levels for U.S. students aged 4 – 18 years.

Teaching Level	Age Group	Grade Level
Elementary School	4 – 11	Grades K – 5
Middle School	11 – 14	Grades 6 – 8
High School	14 – 18	Grades 9 – 12

Benefits Of Public Schools

1. They provide more financial assistance to students, compared to private schools, because public schools are regulated and funded by the government.
2. Federal and state laws mandate public schools to provide disability and diagnostic services to at-risk students.
3. Across the U.S., 52.3% of public-school students are eligible for free or reduced lunch.
4. There is a diversity of cultures and races amongst students in public schools, as well as socio-economic backgrounds, which exposes both students and teachers alike to an expansive real-world learning and networking experience.
5. Most public schools have a student-to-teacher ratio of 16 to 1 which allows for public school teachers to create a necessary bond with their students individually.
6. Public school teachers are usually more qualified than private school teachers in terms of teaching experiences and academic qualifications. (National Centre for Education Statistics)

Qualifications Required to be a Public School Teacher

1. A bachelor’s degree in education or a relevant field. 

For instance, an aspiring Chemistry teacher would be required to have obtained a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or a related subject.

2. A state teaching license.

By completing a district-approved or state-approved teacher preparation program and passing the required exams in the school district and/or state.

3. The National Board teaching certificate.

Although this is optional, it improves one’s chances of getting hired as it is the highest nationally recognized certificate for teachers. It can be obtained from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards if the teacher has at least three years of full-time classroom experience.

Special Education Teachers

Public schools make provisions for students who have special needs such as learning, mental, physical, or developmental disabilities and employ specific teachers to help meet those needs, these teachers are referred to as special education teachers. 

Special education teachers help develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for each student in need of them.

Salary Range for Public School Teachers

Source: US Department of Education, National Centre for Education Statistics.

According to the statistics above, the average salary a public-school teacher earns is $57,000 per annum. The number of qualifications and years of teaching experience the teacher possesses will determine how much is earned. Hence, a master’s degree or Ph.D. holder will make more than a bachelor’s degree holder.

Conclusion

Underaged children are vulnerable and at a higher risk of being negatively influenced or harmed. Hence, a job as a teacher requires more than just providing academic training to one’s students. Teachers are also viewed as key role models in a child’s life, especially a child that comes from an abusive or negligent home. Hence, to be a public-school teacher, where students from various racial or socio-economic backgrounds attend, is an impactful role that will undoubtedly shape the lives of your students.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are public school teachers state or federal government employees?

They are considered state or local government employees, not federal employees, as they are usually employed by the local school districts of the state they are located in.

Furthermore, the United States operates a federalist system of government that recognizes the principle of separation of powers and functions from federal, state, and local governments. Hence, public schools are usually facilitated by state and local governments. 

2. What are the employment prospects for teachers in the U.S.?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics, employment of elementary school teachers is projected to grow by 7% while employment of middle school and high school teachers is expected to grow by 8% from 2016 to 2026. Hence, the demand for teachers is increasing in the U.S. as more students are being enrolled in the public educational system.

3. How many students are usually enrolled in a public school?

The national average for the number of students is approximately 526 students per public school.

4. What is an Alternative teacher’s certificate?

This certificate is an option for aspiring teachers who do not have a bachelor’s degree in education specifically or have not undergone the traditional teacher certification program. However, please note that a bachelor’s degree is still required to obtain an alternative teacher’s certificate.

In the U.S., an Alternative teacher certification is offered in 48 states and Washington DC.