Private school teachers have higher test scores and genearlly earn less than public school teachers. A huge part of the problem is a system that refuses to reward based on merit and instead pays on seniority, and that alone.
Private schools serve student bodies whose parents are much more heavily invested in their children's educations (literally and figuratively), so there's an element of self-selection involved. Low SES students don't apply, either. Plus, there's an element of selection on the part of the schools, because problem kids can be easily kicked out... and the definition of "problem kids" is rather loosely defined.
So there's no point in comparing.
Not to mention that teachers in California are pretty well paid.
Average salaries in California are $68,000 (plus pensions and other benefits). In my district, it's over $75K. That's a lot of money for working a 180-day year plus a couple days tacked on at the beginning and end, especially given the fact that teachers overall have generally very low qualifications.
Low qualifications? Obtaining a teaching credential is essentially a five-year degree, since you need a bachelor's, plus other educational requirements and a student teaching gig. That's just to get in on the entry level. There are continuing educational requirements, basically throughout a teacher's career... and the tuition requirements that go with them.
Those average salaries are heavily influenced by teachers with master's degrees. Nearly every teacher in my high school (in CA) had one. How many careers do you know where the average salary of a master's degree holder is $75k/year?
The average salaries are also heavily influenced by teachers who are receiving stipends for extra duties, like sports coaches.
Another thing not mentioned in those averages is how much those teachers are spending their own money on classroom supplies.
Not to mention that school here ends at 2:20 except on Wednesdays when it ends right after lunch and on other "minimum days" (three or four in the next couple weeks here, for example).
Lesson plans, grading papers, leading extracurricular activities... it's a pretty rare teacher that puts in only 40 hours a week.
