You Work Hard For The Money

From the January 2008 NEA Today:

Americans spent 1,080 hours actually teaching (not counting lunch duty or anything else). But the international average is much lower—803 for elementary schools, 707 for junior high, and 664 for high schools.

I’m not sure what to make of these numbers, or even if they have any meaning. Are teachers in other countries getting more collaborative time, therefore having less instructional time?

Also be sure to check out New York City Educator’s recent post on time. He has some frustrating stats on what Americans are doing that will make you think.