Idaho’s teacher retention rates mirror those of the rest of the country.
According to an Idaho Education News analysis of State Department of Education data, Idaho’s teacher retention rate has come in at about 84 percent in each of the past three years, right in line with national averages.
However, the rate varies widely among Gem State districts and charters, ranging from 0 percent for 2018 in Prairie’s one-room school house to 100 percent at 10 charters or districts. The State Department of Education defines retention as “the percentage of teachers returning from the previous school year.”
Teacher recruitment and retention have become hot topics in Idaho. The Legislature has invested $250 million over the past five years to raising salaries via the career ladder salary law.
Meanwhile, Governor Brad Little has created a teacher pipeline subcommittee of his “Our Kids, Idaho’s Future” task force to help address the issue. (IdahoEdNews.org)
