Retention

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

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A second grader shares a story he wrote with a teacher.
A second grader shares a story he wrote with a teacher. This year, 16% of teachers reported an intent to leave the classroom, down from 22% last year.
Allison Shelley for All4Ed
Teaching Profession Fewer Teachers Plan to Quit, But Pay and Burnout Are Still Major Issues
Teachers still feel overworked and underpaid, but some signs suggest things may be slowly improving.
Ciara Meyer, July 8, 2025
4 min read
Westwood High School teacher Shaun Reedy instructs students on Oct. 18, 2022 in Mesa, Ariz. For several years, the Mesa district allowed Westwood to pilot a program to make it easier for the district to fill staffing gaps, grant educators greater agency over their work and make teaching a more attractive career. The model, known as team teaching, allows teachers to combine classes and grades rotating between big group instruction, one-on-one interventions, small study groups or whatever the team agrees is a priority each day.
Westwood High School teacher Shaun Reedy instructs students on Oct. 18, 2022 in Mesa, Ariz. For several years, the Mesa district has allowed Westwood to use a team-teaching model allowing teachers to rotate between big-group instruction, small study groups, and one-on-one tutoring. Teachers across content areas set the agenda for their cohort of students. Now, research suggests these collaborative models can aid teacher retention.
Matt York/AP
Recruitment & Retention Team Teaching Reduces Turnover Compared to Going Solo, New Research Finds
Teachers who work together to set the educational tone and practice for their students are twice as likely to stay at their schools.
Sarah D. Sparks, June 23, 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
Teaching Opinion How to Change Teachers' Minds About Leaving the Classroom
The underlying reasons teachers are leaving the classroom aren't always obvious. Here's how they can be overcome.
Larry Ferlazzo, June 19, 2025
6 min read
School & District Management Video This District’s Solution to Teacher Burnout? 4-Day School Weeks
A small Ohio district uses a four-day school week to recruit and retain teachers, while improving their work-life balance.
Kaylee Domzalski, June 17, 2025
2:38
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
Teaching Profession Opinion Larry Ferlazzo's 6 Reasons Why He Stayed at His School
Why leave a high school where the administrators have fostered a supportive environment and made teaching fulfilling?
Larry Ferlazzo, June 13, 2025
5 min read
A note written WELL DONE clip with a blue notebook, with a pencil. Concept of approval and praise on writing or professional performance
iStock/Getty
Recruitment & Retention Why Teachers Choose Schools (It’s Not Just About the Paycheck)
Multiple surveys make clear that teachers care deeply about school culture when sizing up jobs. Here's what that means.
Elizabeth Heubeck, February 27, 2025
3 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 Want to Retain Teachers? Try These Strategies
Better money is a solid first step. But teachers need to be treated as professionals if they are to stay.
Larry Ferlazzo, February 12, 2025
12 min read
A man places his hand on top of his head as he looks up at an upwardly pointing arrow turning downward as it turns a corner.
iStock/Getty Images
School & District Management Do Students Suffer When a Superintendent Leaves? A New Study Has an Answer
A new study is the first in a while to explore how students fare academically when there's turnover in the district's top office.
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, February 7, 2025
5 min read
Bill Briggman, Chief Human Resources Officer for the Charleston County School District, speaks with Ella Larson as she teaches students at Pinehurst Elementary School, on Jan. 27, 2025, in North Charleston, S.C.. Some of the teachers at Pinehurst Elementary are a part of the district’s partnership with Clemson University to earn their Master’s degree while they teach.
Bill Briggman, chief human resources officer for the Charleston County School District, speaks with Ella Larson as she teaches students at Pinehurst Elementary School, on Jan. 27, 2025, in North Charleston, S.C..
Laura Bilson for Education Week
Recruitment & Retention Leader To Learn From How This HR Director Pushed for Pay Increases for Teachers
Teachers are getting paid more in the Charleston, S.C. district—thanks in part to their champion in administration.
Mark Lieberman, February 3, 2025
9 min read
Bill Briggman, Chief Human Resources Officer for the Charleston County School District, listens to public comments during a Charleston County School Board meeting, on Jan. 27, 2025, in North Charleston, S.C. Briggman is a go-between for the superintendent and the school board.
Bill Briggman, chief human resources officer for the Charleston County School District, listens to public comments during a school board meeting, on Jan. 27, 2025, in North Charleston, S.C.
Laura Bilson for Education Week
Recruitment & Retention Q&A A Formula for Better Teacher Recruitment and Retention
Helping teachers advocate for themselves is key to success.
Mark Lieberman, February 3, 2025
3 min read
A black female teacher cheerfully answers questions and provides assistance to her curious and diverse group of adolescent students as they work on an assignment in class.
E+/Getty
Teaching Profession What the Research Says Want Novices to Keep Teaching? Focus on Their Classroom-Management Skills
Some skills matter more than others for educator at the start of their careers.
Sarah D. Sparks, January 22, 2025
3 min read
Recruitment & Retention Webinar EdRecruiter 2025 Survey Results: The Outlook for Recruitment and Retention
See exclusive findings from EdWeek’s nationwide survey of K-12 job seekers and district HR professionals on recruitment, retention, and job satisfaction. 
January 22, 2025
It's the time of year to develop current teachers and look ahead to future hires.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week via Canva
School & District Management Opinion This Time of Year, Principals Have Two Jobs. Here’s How to Ace Them Both
Here are 4 tips on how to finish this school year strong—while preparing for the next.
S. Kambar Khoshaba, January 21, 2025
3 min read
A female leader attracts people with a magnet.
iStock/Getty Images Plus
Recruitment & Retention What the Research Says What 4 New Studies Say About How Districts Can Attract—and Retain—Teachers
New insights on teachers' starting salaries, working conditions, and contract work can help leaders better hire and retain teachers.
Sarah D. Sparks, January 10, 2025
5 min read