Arizona gets a D+ on teacher retention
See the recent article on this over at the Republic here.
Here are some relevant quotes:
A report looking at how well states retain effective new elementary- and high-school teachers gives Arizona a ‘D+.’
“Arizona can help districts do much more to ensure that the right teachers stay,” said Kate Walsh, president of the National Council on Teacher Quality, the nonpartisan, Washington group that prepared the report.
…
Higley Unified School District in southeast Gilbert has been adding staff and students, but it and other growing districts struggle to keep new teachers on board.
Interim Superintendent Denise Birdwell said retention was a problem because Higley, with about 540 teachers and 10,000 students, can’t offer salaries competitive with other districts.
That also means many of its teachers are young. She added that statistically, young teachers are the most likely to leave for other schools or quit the profession after a few years.
Retention improves if a school has more experienced teachers on staff, but they also require higher pay.
The state budget crisis likely will keep the revolving door swinging even in growing districts, Birdwell said.
“The inclination would be to hire less experienced teachers because we’re in a tight budget year,” she said.
Low taxes in Arizona (compared to other states) has its downsides too. One of them is that public servants like teachers often can’t afford to stay. This is worse for newer disctricts like HUSD who didn’t get in on some financial aid programs that shut down before HUSD came to be.
Katie:
Because of low pay we have a hard time with teacher retention? Perhaps those directors with high, over paying positions would be willing to take a salary freeze this year and forgo a raise themselves in order to retain what teachers we have. That would be a huge step in the right direction. Let’s show the public that we are willing to tighten our own belts to make a difference for the children.
February 6, 2009, 7:55 amGeoff Johnston:
I have heard mixed reports on the Directors that have been hired Katie. Some like you imply they are overpaid and not all that useful. Others think they are extremely useful and help the district tremendously.
February 6, 2009, 6:19 pmazfam:
I am split. Some directors are helping the district. Others, I don’t see how they are improving anything.
February 7, 2009, 7:38 amI do know that I am not happy that many of them were hired as Director 1, and within months were promoted to Director 2. There also have an “executive Director”- what the heck does he do that constitutes his pay grade? And one sure way to save the district some money is to cut back on all of the admin benefits. Seriously- do they need such high life insurance policies? Can they not pay for their families to be on their medical insurance? Do they need a montly gas allowance? The old board approved all of these “perks” for administators and directors. NEW BOARD, will you please revamp this! I want my tax money being spent better than this!
PR Mom:
I disagree that teacher retention will not improve with the current budget crisis. Teachers are simply glad that they even have a job right now. Just look at the sub. lists now. People need jobs…supply and demand. Also, I do not think that Career Ladder will stay around for the long-term in surrounding districts. This will only help our district to be more competative.
February 16, 2009, 7:56 pmGeoff Johnston:
I think those are solid arguments PR Mom. There is no question that people who have jobs in 2009 will do what they can to keep jobs. I have not heard anything about Career Ladder going away but if it does that will be a major setback for districts that have it. At the same time it would level the playing field for younger districts like HUSD.
February 16, 2009, 9:11 pm