Octopus or Frazzled Juggler?:  The Challenge of Teacher Retention

Scenarios of real experiences by real teachers demonstrate factors that drive up teacher attrition rates.  With teacher retention being a major issue confronting public schools today, especially in urban environments, and with research proving that experienced teachers have a greater impact on student success than new teachers, this case poses tough questions about how low-performing schools can attract and retain quality teachers. 

Discussion Questions:

1. How can schools effectively allocate resources in a way that supports teacher empowerment and encourages them to see themselves as valuable members of the school community?
2. How can school and district administrators and mentors best support their new, energetic, yet unpolished teachers?
3. How can districts and schools use assessment measures to truly encourage excellent teaching?
4. How can teachers be actively involved in designing curricula and making decisions at their school in a way that doesn’t add to an already heavy workload?
5. How can the most low-performing schools attract and retain excellent teachers?