As usual, the politics of education lately seem like they’re all about the grown-ups. Teachers unions hope their walkouts in states like Arizona, Kentucky and Oklahoma will turn red states blue in 2018, while others foresee a backlash against double-digit pay raises for public employees. But behind the political machinations are deeply held views about teacher compensation.
For liberals, higher pay is a matter of social justice. Teachers make less than most other college graduates, reflecting the low status society affords...