LOCAL WEALTH AND TEACHERS ' SALARIES IN PENNSYLVANIA

Findings of a study that examined the relationship between Pennsylvania teachers ' salaries and local wealth are presented in this paper. Statistical analyses of 491 Pennsylvania school districts involved regression, t tests, and chi square. Findings indicate that two factors had a statistically significant impact on lccal teacher salaries: (1) the salaries paid to teachers in contiguous districts, and (2) local wealth. However, higher property wealth or higher income per pupil alone had no significant effect on local teacher salaries. Teacher salaries appear to be affected by a balance of several factors: regional markets (salaries paid in contiguous districts); the local tax base (property wealth per pupil); tax paying ability (personal income per pupil); and the willingness of local boards to pa ' higher salaries. Two figures and three tables are included. (Contains 7 references.) (LMI) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document