Understanding Teacher Recruitment and Retention in Duval County: A Special Report from the Jacksonville Public Education Fund

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12

Public Schools; Teacher Recruitment; Teacher Persistence; Labor Turnover; School Districts; Teacher Transfer; Costs; Equal Education; Disproportionate Representation; At Risk Students; Minority Group Students; Low Income Students; Accountability; Educational Quality; School Effectiveness; Diversity (Faculty); Student Diversity; Principals; Teachers; Professional Development; Inclusion; School Culture; School Based Management; Racial Differences; Ethnicity; Poverty; Wages

Trends across the United States, Florida and Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) indicate that over the last decade, not only are teachers leaving the profession much sooner than in previous years, but there were also fewer teachers entering the profession. The Duval Schools teacher retention rate for the district is approximately 84%. However, this study by the Jacksonville Public Education Fund found that at the school level, teacher retention rates are closer to 75%, driven largely by transfers within the district. Beyond financial costs, teacher attrition can create inequities for students most in need of support and exacerbate gaps in opportunity these students already experience. Study findings indicate that teacher attrition does not affect all Duval schools equally. Schools serving larger proportions of students from low-income backgrounds and students of color are more likely to experience teacher turnover. Further, schools with lower school grades according to the state's accountability system tended to have less experienced teaching staff compared to schools with higher grades. Additionally, the teacher workforce in Duval County Public Schools is less diverse than the student body. The study concludes with three recommendations: (1) diversification of the principal and teacher workforce; (2) professional learning for principals and teachers to promote inclusive school climate and culture; and (3) school-based leadership opportunities that include appropriate compensation.

ERIC

2021

ED616110