A new review of Mississippi’s education system is drawing attention to the low pay of assistant teachers across the state.
According to the Mississippi Office of Employment Security, the state tracks 755 different job categories. Of those, only six jobs pay less than the average salary of Mississippi assistant teachers. Nationally, Mississippi ranks near the bottom in assistant teacher pay, with average salaries falling below those in almost every other state.
The report also notes that Mississippi spends a larger percentage of its K-12 education budget on administration than any other Southern state.
In response, the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor has recommended that school districts reduce outside-the-classroom spending and redirect those funds toward raising assistant teacher salaries.
The recommendation underscores growing concerns about retaining and supporting assistant teachers, who play a vital role in classrooms across the state.
