Governor’s Teacher Retention and Recruitment Working Group

"The cornerstone of a great educational program starts with a great teacher. Alaska for too long has suffered from high teacher turnover rates and an inability to attract and retain quality teachers in some of the most remote parts of our state.

Therefore, I’ve instructed the Commissioner of Education to assemble a working group made up of teachers, administrators, and others to review the root causes of our retention and recruitment issues, including reviewing working conditions and benefits in order to attract and retain great teachers. The Commissioner, with the help of this working group will develop a plan that addresses this issue." – Governor Mike Dunleavy, 2020 State of the State Address

Purpose

The purpose of this working group is to review the root causes of Alaska’s teacher retention and recruitment issues and propose solutions to better attract and retain great teachers. Knowing the cornerstone of a great educational program starts with a great teacher, this working group will seek to problem solve this component of the system to ensure Alaska can provide an excellent education for every student every day. The Commissioner of Education, with the help of this working group, will develop a plan that proposes practical, professional, and policy recommendations for the Governor through research-based methods as well as represented stakeholder groups.

Membership

The working group is made up of members, advisors, and legislative observers representing Alaska regionally; rural, urban schools; teacher, administrator, student, school board roles; early career to long-term experience; Pre-K, K-12, higher education; and practitioners, support organizations, policy makers. Members will provide insights and discussion around the topics of:

• existing literature on retention,
• existing literature on recruitment,
• new research on priorities for leaving,
• new research on priorities for staying,
• integrated solutions with current reality,
• findings and recommendations,
• and review of written reports.

Timeline for Completing Major Tasks

Meeting Schedule and Agenda

Summary Meeting Notes

Friday, May 29, 2020 - Kick Off Meeting:

• Completed introductions and agreed on norms for collaboration.
• Cast the vision and purpose for the working group.
• Set norms for how to conduct the work and share insights.