WASHINGTON, May 6 (UPI) -- America's public school teachers are growing increasingly frustrated in their jobs.
In fact, almost half say they would leave the profession now if they were offered a higher-paying job.
About six in 10 are losing enthusiasm for the job, and just as many complain they spend too much time prepping students for state-mandated tests.
These are the findings from a survey of K-12 public school teachers released Thursday by the Center on Education Policy, a Washington, D.C.-based centrist think tank.
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"Teachers seem to be growing weary of the demands being placed on them and the inability to get their voices heard," said Maria Ferguson, CEP's executive director. "It's not all that surprising that enrollments for teacher prep programs are dropping. It's becoming a tougher sell as a career."
Altogether, 3,328 teachers completed the 67-question online survey last fall.
Among the respondents, 81 percent of teachers said that students should have fewer tests. And 62 percent of educators believe they spend too much time preparing students for state mandated tests.
Almost all teachers (94 percent) said that they felt their opinions are not often factored into decisions made at the state or national level.
Some 60 percent of those quizzed said that they "don't seem to have as much enthusiasm now" as when they started teaching. And 42 percent admit they have days when the statement: "I think about staying home from school because I am just too tired to go" is true.
While 64 percent say they like their school and are part of "a satisfied group" of teachers, 49 percent say the stress and disappointments "aren't really worth it." And 49 percent say they'd quit teaching "as soon as possible" if they could find a higher-paying job.
The survey results are available on the Center on Education Policy's website.
