Teacher Retention Strategies for Title I Schools

Engaged principals, opportunities for collaboration, and extensive coaching and mentoring serve as three hallmarks to improve teacher retention at profiled schools. Though specific initiatives and efforts to retain and engage teachers at profiled schools vary, the efforts feature three common themes. Contacts at all profiled schools highlight the importance of the school principal for retaining teachers. School leaders incorporate opportunities for collaboration and connections between teachers into schedules and operating procedures. Administrators at profiled schools also offer intensive professional development training, provide mentors to new or struggling teachers, and employ instructional experts to coach teachers on curriculum delivery.

Coaching and professional development opportunities help teachers adapt to changes, continue to grow, and respond to challenging environments. Most profiled schools provide teachers with instructional coaches who offer assistance in a low-pressure, non-evaluative setting. These coaches provide a resource for teachers and help guide curriculum and instructional strategies. Profiled schools also offer ample support and guidance in the form of professional development. Schools tailor professional development around curriculum changes to help teachers adapt to new strategies and standards.

Teacher retention trends

While teacher turnover rates vary widely state to state and even district to district, schools with larger populations of poor students tend to experience higher rates of teacher turnover. The Learning Policy Institute’s 2017 report details that the teacher turnover rate in Title I schools is nearly 50% greater than in non-Title I schools.

Contacts at profiled schools describe multiple initiatives and efforts that increase teacher retention in their schools. These efforts typically feature three common themes.