Addressing Teacher Turnover in High-Poverty Schools: Empowering BIPOC Educators for Lasting Impact
Teacher turnover is a significant issue in high-poverty schools, and California is addressing it through two programs: one subsidizes college students in teaching credential programs, and the other provides funds to create community schools. The California Teachers Association opposes differentiated pay policies for teachers in “hard-to-staff” schools. The Golden State Teacher Grant Program offers grants to college students earning teaching credentials, with the condition that they work in high-poverty schools for four years. Community schools partner with local organizations to support students and families comprehensively. Giving teachers more decision-making power can be as effective as pay raises in retaining them. Implementation challenges and varying success stories exist with the community schools model. Wisconsin's experience shows that higher salaries attract better teachers and improve test scores, but collective bargaining is vital for high-poverty schools to recruit experienced teachers.
Amid the current circumstances, it is crucial to enhance incentives and provide financial assistance to prospective BIPOC teachers. It is vital for students to have educators who can relate to their identities and experiences, fostering a deeper engagement in their academic pursuits. Supporting teachers from disadvantaged backgrounds will enable them to create an inclusive and supportive environment for students who often feel overlooked or underrepresented in educational settings. These initiatives have the potential to retain teachers, allowing them to serve as a reliable presence in the lives of young individuals. This stability is of utmost importance, especially for students who lack consistency in other areas of their lives. Our education system is in dire need of reforms that prioritize effective school management and long-term suitability of more BIPOC teachers for the betterment of our students.
Lauren Justice for CalMatters
Schools in poorer neighborhoods struggle to keep teachers. How offering them more power might help
By Joe Hong, Cal Matters | 6/13/2023