SHSU Study Shows Teacher 'Moonlighting' at All Time High

David Henderson

The latest study by a Sam Houston State University researcher on the morale of Texas teachers shows that record numbers are "moonlighting" to make ends meet and considering leaving the profession.

The study--"Texas Teachers, Moonlighting and Morale: 1980-2004"--was conducted by David Henderson, professor of curriculum and instruction at Sam Houston State, and his son, Travis W. Henderson, a computer specialist with the Windham School District.

The Hendersons found that 35 percent of those responding have extra jobs during the school year, and 76 percent believe that moonlighting is detrimental to a teacher's performance. The previous high for moonlighting was 34 percent in 1998.

The number of those responding who say they are considering leaving the profession was 45 percent, which ties the number who gave that response in 1990.

"In urban districts up to one half of new teachers leave within the first five years," said Henderson. "This is a great expense to Texas taxpayers and it will get worse as the demand for teachers increases."

Discipline was reported by 58 percent of the teachers as the major problem in schools and excess paperwork by 34 percent. Many negative comments were received concerning the state's mandatory testing procedure, now known as TAKS.

"Teachers should be able to give realistic student assessments," wrote one respondent. "Too much time is spent teaching to a test."

"The pressure of the TAKS test is making idiots out of administrators, teachers and some parents," wrote another. "Who could blame them? Jobs depend on scores. My school is a zoo."

Concerning discipline one wrote, "I wasn't aware that there was such a thing in public schools any more. Public schools are not effective, not safe, discourage responsibility, and encourage low morality. Can our lawmakers read, hear, think and see?"

The Hendersons constructed an "average teacher" based on the survey results.

The average teacher in Texas is a 43 year-old female elementary teacher, making $41,396 per year, married with a working spouse, has a bachelor's degree, has 13.4 years of experience and with 45 percent of her fellow teachers is seriously considering leaving the profession.

Forty-five percent work in the summer making $2,780 and 35 percent moonlight during the regular school year making $4,705 while working 9.9 hours per week.

Some of the moonlighting jobs listed included tutoring (16), junior college teacher (6), sales (5), waiter (3), and making stained glass, jewelry supplier and bartender, one each.

The average teacher believes that moonlighting is detrimental (76 percent) and would like to quit, believing that the quality of teaching is worse than five years ago. She pays health insurance of $149 per month, works 13.8 hours per week on schoolwork outside the classroom, and pays $500 per year for school supplies out of her pocket.

David Henderson began conducting the survey in 1980. This is the third in which his son has participated. Data was collected from a survey mailed in February to 700 teachers randomly selected from membership lists of the Texas State Teachers Association, with a return rate of 35 percent. The Texas State Teachers Association sponsors the study.

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SHSU Media Contact: Frank Krystyniak
April 23, 2004
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