Retention

Education news, analysis, and opinion about efforts to keep school and district staff from leaving their jobs

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Recruitment & Retention Webinar EdRecruiter 2026 Survey Results: How School Districts are Finding and Keeping Talent
Discover the latest K-12 hiring trends from EdWeek’s nationwide survey of job seekers and district HR professionals.
January 21, 2026
Fourth graders, from left, Makayla Maynard, Elliette Willey, and Arnav Singh place their lunch waste in the correct bins with the help of Kathleen Osborne, lead custodian at Green Valley Elementary School, on March 16, 2022, in Frederick, Md.
Fourth graders, from left, Makayla Maynard, Elliette Willey, and Arnav Singh place their lunch waste in the correct bins with the help of Kathleen Osborne, lead custodian at Green Valley Elementary School, on March 16, 2022, in Frederick, Md. Custodian retention is a challenge in education, learn how one Ohio district leader is tackling it.
Bill Green/The Frederick News-Post via AP
Recruitment & Retention Q&A Custodians Are the 'Glue' of School Buildings. How Districts Can Keep Them
One school leader has been focusing on custodians' retention and growth.
Jennifer Vilcarino, December 2, 2025
7 min read
Yellow post it note paper with thank you message on blue background
iStock/Getty
School & District Management A Principal Publicly Thanked Each Staff Member. Here’s What Happened
Each November, this principal personally thanks every employee, from teachers to cafeteria workers.
Elizabeth Heubeck, November 20, 2025
4 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Recruitment & Retention Opinion How to Stop Hemorrhaging Teachers From the Profession
Even as some teachers seek other careers, school leaders can stem the flow.
Larry Ferlazzo, November 14, 2025
10 min read
Illustration of people using revolving doors.
DigitalVision Vectors
Special Education What the Research Says Schools Have the Special Educators—But Keep Losing Them to General Ed.
A study across seven states finds educators for students with disabilities need more targeted support.
Sarah D. Sparks, November 13, 2025
3 min read
Vector illustration of a large yellow pencil overlaying a glowing earth on a dark blue background. There is a diverse group of professionals holding one another up on their shoulders to try and keep the pencil upright.
iStock/Getty
Recruitment & Retention What the Research Says How U.S. Teachers' Job Satisfaction Stacks Up Against Their Global Peers'
The largest international survey of teachers provides new insights into teacher satisfaction.
Sarah D. Sparks, October 28, 2025
4 min read
Human icon print screen on wooden cube block with space for Human Resource Management and Recruitment hiring concept.
Dilok Klaisataporn/iStock/Getty
Recruitment & Retention Quiz Quiz Yourself: How Well Do You Know Today’s K-12 Hiring Landscape?
Assess your knowledge of the key factors driving K-12 hiring today.
October 15, 2025
Collaged Photo illustration of a new teacher's challenges and how to support them in this stage of their career.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week via Canva
Recruitment & Retention Opinion How to Make Teachers Want to Stay at Your School
An instructional coach shares five essential practices for teacher retention.
Don Bott, October 14, 2025
4 min read
Monique Cox picks up a DoorDash order from a restaurant after finishing her shift at the Epiphany School in Boston, Mass. on Oct. 7, 2025. Cox supplements her income by working as a personal trainer and DoorDashing food after her teaching shifts.
Early education teacher Monique Cox picks up a DoorDash order from a restaurant after finishing her shift at the Epiphany School in Boston on Oct. 7, 2025. Cox supplements her income by working as a personal trainer on weekends and breaks and delivering food after her teaching day ends.
Sophie Park for Education Week
Teaching Profession 'It's Rough Out Here': Why Most Teachers Work a Second Job (and What It Means)
Those with education-related second jobs are more likely to stay than those with non-related gigs.
Sarah D. Sparks, October 9, 2025
7 min read
Illustration of a woman contemplating a choice, surrounded by hands holding money.
Amina Shakeela/Getty
Teaching Profession States Are Experimenting With Teacher Pay Again—But the Focus Isn’t Just Test Scores
Renewed interest could spur another wave of experiments with teacher pay.
Sarah D. Sparks, October 2, 2025
8 min read
A teacher teaches a 5th grade math class at Lafargue Elementary School in Effie, La., on Aug. 22, 2025. The state has implemented new professional development requirements for math teachers in grades 4-8 to help improve student achievement and address learning gaps.
A 5th grade math class at Lafargue Elementary School in Effie, La., is shown on Aug. 22, 2025. Nearly two-fifths of educators said in a recent EdWeek Research Center survey that the uniquely volatile policy environment since President Donald Trump took office has made them less likely to want to remain in their jobs.
Kathleen Flynn for Education Week
Recruitment & Retention From Our Research Center Federal Changes Have Some Educators Rethinking Whether to Stay in Their Jobs
A new survey shows potential spillover effects in school districts from a uniquely volatile federal policy environment.
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, September 30, 2025
4 min read
Vector illustration of the silhouette of a businessman exiting a yellow lit door leaving an all black room.
iStock/Getty
School & District Management Superintendent Turnover Is Up. Is High Leadership Churn the New Normal?
Superintendent turnover increased again for the nation's 500 largest school systems. The number of women superintendents also increased.
Evie Blad, September 16, 2025
2 min read
Image missing teacher in classroom at in elementary classroom.
Liz Yap/Education Week and iStock/Getty
Recruitment & Retention The United Nations Says Teacher Shortages Are a Global Problem
Worldwide, countries need to recruit another 44 million primary and secondary teachers by 2030 to meet demand, a new report finds.
Sarah D. Sparks, September 3, 2025
3 min read
David Nelson, his wife Hannah Jones-Nelson, and their dog "Bear" sit in the favorite room of their new house. Nelson was awarded a $10,000 commitment bonus provided to new teachers in Flint. He plans to use most of the money for house improvements and maintenance. Thursday, August 21, 2025..
David Nelson, his wife Hannah Jones-Nelson, and their dog Bear sit in their favorite room of their new house in Flint, Mich., on Aug. 21, 2025. Nelson was awarded a $10,000 commitment bonus provided to new teachers in Flint. He plans to use most of the money for house improvements and maintenance.
Valaurian Waller for Education Week
Recruitment & Retention This District Is Betting on a $10K Signing Bonus for New Teachers. Is It Enough?
Teachers are being awarded bonuses of up to $12,000 to join a district that, like its surrounding community, is working to rebuild.
Elizabeth Heubeck, August 26, 2025
6 min read