Recruitment & Retention
Staff shortages. Grow-your-own programs. Turnover. Learn more about recruiting and retaining teachers and other school and district staff
The State of Teaching, 2026 Edition
New national data on the teaching profession, vivid reporting from classrooms, and resources to help support this essential profession.
Staffing Our Schools
Special Report
Why Staffing Schools Is Harder Than Ever
Why schools are struggling to recruit and retain staff and how it affects student learning.
Special Report
Diversity Matters: How Schools Can Recruit and Retain More People of Color
See how school systems are successfully recruiting and retaining people of color and helping solve for public education's racial imbalance.
Special Report
Retaining Great Teachers in a Time of Turmoil
Through original data and reporting, this report illuminates the barriers to keeping great teachers and offers some solutions.
Recruitment & Retention Download Ease the Teacher-Hiring Process with AI (Downloadable)Clear criteria and privacy protections are critical when using technology to smooth the hiring process.
Recruitment & Retention AI Is Changing Teacher Hiring. Here’s HowTeachers may not be aware that AI underpins both commercial and DIY hiring systems, raising concerns.Recruitment & Retention Whitepaper Build a Community Where Teachers ThriveSponsorThis content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.Built for today’s school leaders, the ASU Prep Global Teacher Retention Playbook delivers proven, scalable strategies to attract, support...
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.
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Recruitment & Retention Candidates for School Jobs May Be Lying on Resumes. What to Do About ItA high percentage of job applicants cheat throughout the job application process. AI could make the problem worse.
Recruitment & Retention What the Research Says 4 Keys to Building a Pipeline From High School to the Teaching ProfessionA statewide career-tech program in Maryland shows promise to expand and diversify the pool of new educators. Here's how.
Recruitment & Retention Opinion ‘Grow Your Own’ Teacher Programs Are MisguidedSuch recruiting initiatives wind up prioritizing the needs of education systems rather than those of students.
Recruitment & Retention Retention Is the Missing Ingredient in Special Education StaffingMany special education teachers switch to other teaching positions. Districts are exploring ways to keep them in the needed role.
Recruitment & Retention Video Meet the High School Students Already Training To Be TeachersThese young future educators share the moments that motivated them, and the concerns they have for their future.
Recruitment & Retention Video A Look Inside a High School Devoted to Training the Next Generation of EducatorsThis magnet high school supports Texas students pursuing careers in education. Here's how it works.
Recruitment & Retention Signing Ceremonies Honor Students Who Want to Be TeachersIn a growing number of schools across the country, student-athletes aren't the only ones in the spotlight. Future teachers are, too.
Recruitment & Retention Why Your Next Teacher Job Fair Probably Won't Be VirtualPost-pandemic, K-12 job fairs have largely pivoted to in-person events. But virtual fairs still have a place.
Recruitment & Retention How Effective Mentors Strengthen Teacher Recruitment and RetentionRudy Ruiz, founder of the Edifying Teachers network, shares advice on what quality mentorship entails for teachers of color.
Recruitment & Retention What the Research Says Some Positive Signs for the Teacher Pipeline, But It's Not All Good. What 3 Studies SayTeacher-prep enrollment is stabilizing, but school-level turnover is still high.
Recruitment & Retention The First Step to Hiring a Diverse School Staff: Believing It's PossibleDistrict leaders who want to prioritize diverse staffing need to search widely for new job candidates—and give them reasons to stay.Recruitment & Retention K-12 Essentials Forum Building a Diverse Staff to Improve Equity and Student OutcomesJoin this free virtual event to get up to speed on the pivotal role of diversity in K-12 education.
Recruitment & Retention Video How Workplace Culture Can Affect Staffing ShortagesA recruiter and a teacher share possible solutions to ongoing teaching shortages in schools.
Recruitment & Retention Letter to the Editor Teacher Housing Is a Critical Need in Native CommunitiesWe can't forget about Indian lands school districts when talking about teacher housing, says this letter to the editor.Recruitment & Retention Webinar Essential Strategies to Keep TeachersSponsorThis content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.Is teacher retention a puzzle in your school? Join our crucial discussion on coaching, support, & performance-based pay for sustainable solutions.
