Pay Parity for Teachers

Early childhood teachers at community-based organizations (CBOs) like Grand St. Settlement are paid much less than those working for Department of Education (DOE) schools, even though they do the same job. This unfair pay gap creates a crisis for CBOs, which are vital providers of early education throughout New York City.

According to a report from the New York City Comptroller’s Office last year, starting salaries for around a quarter of certified teachers at CBOs with a masters degree were less than the minimum of $68,652 paid to DOE teachers. Some teachers were paid as low as $20,000, far lower than those at DOE schools. This gap widens as teachers gain experience, making CBOs unable to compete with DOE salaries. This leads to high turnover and difficulty hiring qualified teachers. This instability hurts the quality of education for young children, especially in underserved areas.

The root of the problem lies in the city’s dual funding structures.

While DOE teachers’ salaries are fully funded by the city, teachers salaries at CBOs depend on contracts that don't cover competitive wages. This inequity not only devalues the work of CBO teachers and weakens the early education system as a whole.

The city must commit to fully funding salary parity between CBO and DOE teachers. Doing so will ensure that all children, regardless of where they receive early education, benefit from experienced educators and that teachers earn the salaries they deserve.

Read the full report from the New York City Comptroller’s Office here.