Posted: | June 8, 2021 11:48 AM |
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From: | Representative Stephen Kinsey and Rep. Carol Hill-Evans |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Teacher Retention - Beginner Educator Support and Training (BEST) |
A 2019 report found that teacher turnover rates reached 25%, 1 in 4 teachers, in some Philadelphia schools. These alarmingly high rates of turnover were also reported in certain Allegheny County schools, as well as in Harrisburg. This is all the more disturbing considering that teacher turnover is highly correlated with student education outcomes. We believe that we can and should do better to support new educators and students in school districts across our Commonwealth. As such, We are introducing legislation that would give first year-teachers in districts with high turnover more intensive and individualized support, including a mentor. In doing this, we will help these teachers establish themselves in this important profession and reduce high turnover rates. This investment in new teachers early in their careers can have positive effects on student achievement and prevent a churn of new hires in schools. Similar programs in Connecticut resulted in net savings for school districts by reducing costs associated with recruiting more new teachers each year, as well as a better education for students across the state. We believe we can achieve these results here for our students as well. Please join us in sponsoring this investment in our teachers, students, and schools by supporting the Beginning Educator Support and Training (BEST) initiative here in Pennsylvania. |
Introduced as HB1784