A newspaper article summarizes a study showing that “a standout kindergarten teacher is worth about $320,000 a year. That’s the present value of the additional money that a full class of students can expect to earn over their careers.

This estimate doesn’t take into account social gains, like better health and less crime.” Why are even standout kindergarten teachers paid salaries much lower than $320,000?

Based on David Leonhardt, “The Case for $320,000 Kindergarten Teachers,” New York Times, July 27, 2010.