Teacher Turnover

A new report finds that teacher turnover cost U.S. school systems $7.3 billion during the 2003-04 school year. The report, released by the National Commission on Teaching and America's Future (NCTAF), recommends that legislators add a teacher-retention program to the No Child Left Behind Act this year. It also suggests that districts track turnover and develop a strategy to combat it that includes investing in induction programs and encouraging new and experienced teachers to work together. "The good news is that when districts address this problem and take it on directly, when they start to invest in better-prepared teachers and offer them strong support, they can see progress," says Tom Carroll, president of the NCTAF. "It's a solvable problem."

In your opinion, what can be done to curb teacher turnover? Would a teacher retention program mandated by NCLB help? What are some effective ways officials and experienced teachers can keep teachers from leaving school districts?