Recruitment & Retention
Staff shortages. Grow-your-own programs. Turnover. Learn more about recruiting and retaining teachers and other school and district staff
Staffing Our Schools
Why schools are struggling to recruit and retain staff and how education leaders can start to solve the problem.
Recruitment & Retention 'Lesson Planning in the Laundry Room': What Housing for Teachers Looks LikeFrom converted schools and tiny houses, to shiny new complexes, districts have tackled new ideas to make sure their teachers can live nearby.
Special Report Strategies for Building a Diverse StaffDelve into the link between diverse staff and students’ academic performance and explore strategies to recruit and retain diverse staff.
Recruitment & Retention The Role Mentors and School Leaders Play in Retaining Teachers of ColorBeyond higher pay, experts share key factors that can keep teachers of color in the profession and even at a given school.
Recruitment & Retention: Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best ways to recruit good teachers?
The ways that teachers find school jobs has changed in recent years. But recruitment hasn’t gone all virtual. According to a 2022 EdWeek Research Center survey of job seekers, only 5 percent said they find out about K-12 jobs through virtual job fairs. Many more job seekers find jobs by looking at district websites (54 percent), word of mouth (47 percent), and education-focused job websites (42 percent).
Some districts are turning to decidedly non-digital recruitment methods, like highway billboards, flyers in grocery stores, and reaching out to parents to ask them to become substitute teachers.
Some districts are turning to decidedly non-digital recruitment methods, like highway billboards, flyers in grocery stores, and reaching out to parents to ask them to become substitute teachers.
What qualities do principals look for when hiring teachers?
Many principals place the most weight on how a teacher will fit in with their school’s culture. That attribute was more valued by principals than whether the teacher’s certification aligned with their school’s needs, according to a 2022 survey by RAND.
The number of years of teaching experience a teacher had ranked relatively low in principal’s desired teacher qualifications, with less than a quarter of principals saying it was in their top three.
The number of years of teaching experience a teacher had ranked relatively low in principal’s desired teacher qualifications, with less than a quarter of principals saying it was in their top three.
How can schools retain teachers?
Here is some advice on retaining teachers from Principal David Arencibia of Colleyville Middle School in Texas:
· Be clear with teachers about job expectations.
· Create a positive school culture.
· Celebrate your staff.
· Listen to your staff.
· Be clear with teachers about job expectations.
· Create a positive school culture.
· Celebrate your staff.
· Listen to your staff.
-
Recruitment & Retention From Our Research Center Districts' Strategies to Diversify Teaching Staff, in ChartsNew EdWeek Research Center survey data highlights how districts plan to recruit and retain more teachers of color.
Recruitment & Retention How to Find—and Keep—a Diverse Team of TeachersPrincipals and district leaders believe diversifying the educator workforce is important—but recruitment and retention often prove tricky.
Recruitment & Retention Athletic Trainers Are Often Missing From the Sidelines in School SportsAdvocates say athletic trainers are in short supply, despite efforts to require schools to keep them on hand.
Recruitment & Retention This State Is Giving New Teachers Up to $20K to Stay on the Job. But There’s a CatchOklahoma's scholarship program is designed to keep fully trained teachers on the job longer.
Recruitment & Retention What Slogan Would You Use to Recruit Teachers? Educators Weigh InThe U.S. Department of Education has called its campaign 'Teachers: Leaders Shaping Lives.' How do EdWeek readers' slogans compare?
Recruitment & Retention More Districts Are Building Housing for Teachers. Here's What to KnowThe recruitment and retention strategy is gaining in popularity, but districts must consider financing, time, and affordability.
Recruitment & Retention Opinion 3 Solutions for the Black Male Teacher ShortageI was well out of college before my mentor persuaded me to become a teacher. Here’s how we can start reaching Black men earlier.
Recruitment & Retention How This District Boosted Its Ranks of School Librarians—From WithinA South Carolina district partnered with a local university to grow its own teacher-librarians and fill vacancies.
Recruitment & Retention What the Research Says The New School Staffing Landscape, in ChartsAdministrators say they're having an easier time filling some vacancies this year, but challenges remain.Recruitment & Retention Whitepaper CHRO’s Guide for Building an Effective Substitute Teacher ProgramSponsorThis content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.This expert guide offers best practices in recruiting qualified substitutes, establishing a reliable pool, boosting fill rates, and optimizing your program.Recruitment & Retention Webinar Combatting Teacher Shortages: Strategies for Classroom Balance and Learning SuccessSponsorThis content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.Learn from leaders in education as they share insights and strategies to support teachers and students.
Recruitment & Retention Looking to Recruit and Retain Younger Employees? Speak Their LanguageWorkplace experts provide ways for education administrators to bridge generational communication divides.
Recruitment & Retention Q&A A District Raised All Teacher Salaries, Some by Almost 22K. How It's WorkingLeaders said condensing the district's 16-tier pay scale was just one of the tools they used.
Recruitment & Retention Download DOWNLOADABLE: A Recipe for Creating a School Culture Teachers Don't Want to LeaveIt takes the right combination of hiring the right people, supporting their growth, recognizing their good work, and having fun.
Recruitment & Retention From Our Research Center What's Keeping People From Becoming Teachers? An Eye-Popping To-Do List, for OneNinety percent of educators say that the demands of the job make it harder to recruit and retain teachers.
