Teacher Recruitment and Retention as a School Improvement Strategy

Abstract

Fewer issues have received more attention by education researchers than understanding the global teacher shortage, especially in public schools. Concurrent with this issue is the concern that the rate of teacher hires is insufficient to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse body of students. This phenomenon gains significance considering policymakers’ calls for restructuring the way schools do business to meet the needs of students and schools in the era of school accountability. It is crucial not to overlook the substantial body of research which suggests how the practices under No Child Left Behind have complicated the retention of teachers and highlight the need for improved strategies under the Every Student Succeeds Act. This white paper is intended to encourage policymakers to rethink their assumptions about school accountability policy and examine how a comprehensive approach to school improvement can include teacher recruitment and retention strategies. Finally, implications for practice are also discussed