Effective teaching is the key to student achievement, but how do you keep those effective teachers in the classroom?
Teachers Network is pleased to share the results of the groundbreaking survey, “What Keeps Effective Teachers in the Classroom,” funded by the Ford Foundation, in partnership with The Center for Teaching Quality and WestEd. The study focused on two primary areas: 1) what keeps quality teachers in the classroom as opposed to what makes them leave, and 2) the contribution of teacher networks to quality teacher development and retention.
See the conversation forming about this research in our comments.
Preliminary key findings show that both quality teaching and teacher retention are fostered through professional development, effective teacher networks, and teacher leadership. Ellen Dempsey, Teachers Network’s President & CEO, adds that, “The Teachers Network survey is especially noteworthy because it sheds new light on how professional collaboration and teacher networks contribute—in extraordinarily cost-effective ways—to increase the retention of good teachers.”
Some survey highlights include:
- 64% of teachers said they joined teacher networks because they “wanted a professional community,” which far outshone any other reason for joining networks.
- 80% reported that network participation encouraged them to remain in the classroom, while 90% shared that it improved their teaching practice.
- 59% also reported that network participation prompted them to develop better relationships with students’ parents.
- Colleagues’ support was the only school culture factor significantly associated with teachers’ long-term retention. Collaboration was by far the dominant factor in retaining teacher leaders.
You can read the full research report on our web site.
The survey was comprised of 1,210 responses drawn from a diverse and accomplished group of preK-12 teachers in every subject area: 93% were fully state-certified, and 78% held a master’s degree or above. A majority worked in high-needs schools, where more than than 75% of the student body is comprised of low-income or minority students.
To accompany the survey results, Teachers Network produced a video featuring teachers from around the country, “Teachers on Teaching,” hosted by Cynthia Nixon. All of the teachers featured in the video are survey respondents and have participated in teacher networks. This video allows you to hear the teachers’ voice firsthand.
Join in on the conversation, and stay tuned to this blog for more updates, results and opportunities—and subscribe to our RSS feed. We’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback.
