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September 19, 2017

Understanding Teacher Turnover: Why It Matters and What We Can Do About It

Co-Sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE), and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)

Teacher Turnover: Why It Matters and What We Can Do About It

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this video belong solely to the speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the perspective of the Learning Policy Institute.

Join the conversation on social media: #KeepOurTeachers

As students return to school this year, many of them, particularly those from historically underserved groups, are entering one of the more than 100,000 classrooms across the country staffed by an educator who is not fully prepared to teach. Widespread teacher shortages have resulted in difficulty hiring qualified teachers, cancellations of courses, and increased class sizes. While shortages draw attention to recruiting more teachers, 90% of nationwide demand for new teacher hires is actually created by teachers leaving the profession. Reducing teacher turnover—both teachers leaving the profession and those leaving particular schools and districts—can go a long way toward solving shortages.

At this forum new data on the extent, nature, and cost of teacher turnover was presented, and recommendations offered for addressing the issue, including evidence-based policies at the federal, state, and local levels to create a strong pipeline into the profession and provide ongoing support to increase retention.

Speakers

Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos, 37th District (King County), WA
Linda Darling-Hammond, President, Learning Policy Institute
Jessica Cardichon, Director of Federal Policy, Learning Policy Institute
Desiree Carver-Thomas, Research and Policy Associate, Learning Policy Institute
Segun Eubanks, Chair, Board of Education, Prince George's County, MD
Seth Gerson, Program Director, Education Division, National Governors Association
Antonio Iglesias, Newark Public School Science Teacher, Newark, NJ
Superintendent Steven R. Staples, Virginia Department of Education
Nailiah Williams, Student Leader and Board Member, Californians for Justice