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Teacher and Principal Retention Forum — Washington, DC

On November 28, 2018, the DC State Board of Education (SBOE) and EmpowerEd, a teacher advocacy organization, hosted a public forum on teacher and principal retention in the District of Columbia. The forum focused on identifying solutions that both traditional public and public charter schools could implement to address the high numbers of teachers and principals leaving schools.

DIRECTIONS: Please utilize the ideas below and add pros/cons or other arguments about which of these strategies will most help increase teacher and principal retention. You may vote for multiple strategies. When you vote for ideas you like, please include your role after your name (e.g., Michael Dominico (parent), Susanna Ramirez (advocate), Dezmond Brown (DC teacher)).

Please add your votes and feedback by Monday, December 17 at 5 p.m. ET.


saved
Ideas
Pros and cons
 
Votes
SCHOOL-LEVEL POLICY - Change high-stakes testing
by DC State Board of Education
- Reduce emphasis on PARCC - Rate teachers and schools based on growth (not proficiency), so tha... more
 
Growth will reflect the hard work that all educators and students achieve in one school year espe... more
by Angie Skinner
 
Growth is always most important; however, students in low-performing schools will not show signif... more
by Candace Davis (DC Teacher)
3
 
Delete high stakes testing. Save the money and time for real investments in student achievement.... more
by Mary Collins
4
 
Separate diagnostic testing (used by teachers to inform practice) from testing performed for syst... more
by Liz Koenig (teacher)
1
 
Annual testing can inform school progress, but it should be comprehensive including science, phys... more
by Carrie Roling
 
At my school all sophomores take PARCC ELA, PARCC Geometry, and also the AP World History exam. H... more
 
21
Vote

Mary Levy (researcher, advocate), Christie Mandeville, principal, Melanie Berry and 18 more

School Climate: Be honest about and address issues beyond the classroom that effect learning: hunger, trauma, violence. Teachers will be more effective if schools meet all student needs. While teachers work hard to support all students, this social work often comes at the expense of learning time... more
 
When being honest about the issues beyond the classrooms, administrators must identify and addres... more
by Candace Davis (DC Teacher)
3
 
Classroom teachers are hired to teach, Social workers, librarians, psychologist etc should be hir... more
by Mary Collins
7
 
The most effective schools are those that mix socio-economic levels. Oyster Adams, where I teach,... more
by Carrie Roling
2
 
This requires deep and meaningful investment from the city in supporting schools. The infrastruct... more
by Alexander Rose-Henig
 
21
Vote

Mary Levy (researcher, advocate), Callie Kozlak, Alexander Rose-Henig (School Level Leader - Charter Sector) and 18 more

Make sure the district is collecting and connecting the data on teachers (including prep info, entry into the classroom, exit from the classroom) to help paint a fuller picture of the pipeline. E.g What TN has through TERA https://peabody.vanderbilt.edu/TERA/index.php
 
47% of DC students attend charter schools, yet charter schools are not required to collect inform... more
12
 
The collection of data on teachers do not help in the performance of teachers. This is a waste... more
by Mary Collins
2
 
If we don't know what kind of characteristics or preparation predict success and persistence; and... more
by Emily M (parent)
 
21
Vote

Mary Levy (researcher, advocate), tara, Angelo Parodi and 18 more

SCHOOL CLIMATE - Distributed leadership and more recognition
by DC State Board of Education
- Provide distributed leadership for teachers so they have opportunities to take on more responsi... more
 
Focus on the positive aspects of what teachers are doing right and how they are supporting studen... more
by Angie Skinner
2
 
In most D.C. schools the teachers are powerful as to really effect change. Teachers need the powe... more
5
 
There is a lack of trust between teachers and building leadership due to the amount of pressure t... more
by Candace Davis (DC Teacher)
2
 
I agree with the statements above but wish to add the following. The best leaders are already in... more
by Mary Collins
3
 
Principals have too much power right now and that contributes to an environment where whistle-blo... more
by Carrie Roling, parent & teacher
1
15
Vote

Mary Levy (researcher, advocate), Alexander Rose-Henig (School Level Leader - Charter Sector), Janice Trecho and 12 more

HUMAN RESOURCES - Pre-hiring, recruitment
by DC State Board of Education
- Provide non-salary-based incentives (e.g., workforce housing, tax incentives, student loan repa... more
 
Increase staffing in schools to reduce administrative burden: - For teachers: by hiring teachin... more
3
 
The cost of living, rent, mortgage and food in DC is very expensive. Provide more incentives and ... more
by Angie Skinner
2
 
I agree with the comment by Skinner. School personnel should be salary based. The incentives li... more
by Mary Collins
 
Traditional Teacher Prep pipeline like they do at UMPC. This way the student teachers know what ... more
by Beth Sewell Teacher and Parent
1
 
Teaching is more like medicine than people realize. Doctors monitor the development of the body, ... more
by Carrie Roling, parent & teacher
15
Vote

Callie Kozlak, Christie Mandeville, principal, Alexander Rose-Henig (School Level Leader - Charter Sector) and 12 more

SCHOOL-LEVEL POLICY - Empower teachers and school leaders
by DC State Board of Education
- Empower administrators/heads of school/principals on budget, staffing decisions including hirin... more
 
Teachers are instructional classroom experts and facilitators. The extra burden of data entry, p... more
by Angie Skinner
2
 
Empower teachers and administrators to perform their duties and responsibilities. The hiring and... more
by Mary Collins
15
Vote

Mary Levy (researcher, advocate), Callie Kozlak, Alexander Rose-Henig (School Level Leader - Charter Sector) and 12 more

Experience
It is important that we also value experienced educators that of course understand their content.... more
 
The District attempts to value experienced educators through their evaluation system, IMPACT, whi... more
by Candace Davis (DC Teacher)
2
 
Impact is a weapon used to punish and or remove teachers rather than assist teachers in improving... more
by Mary Collins
4
 
Experience matters.
by Carrie Roling, parent & teacher
1
14
Vote

Mary Levy (researcher, advocate), Janice Trecho, David Koenig and 11 more

SCHOOL-LEVEL POLICY - Scheduling flexibility and innovative teaching models/structures
by DC State Board of Education
- Provide flexible schedules and roles that promote work-life balance (e.g., teachers who start a... more
 
This will allow teachers who start a family to feel a healthier work/life balance and stay in the... more
by Scott Goldstein (policy advocate)
 
I agree with the assessment provided to the left on School Level policy. I wish to add that if t... more
 
LEAP and TLI have actually made it more challenging for me. I have less time. Because I am mand... more
by Beth Sewell (DC Teacher and Parent)
6
 
Flexible scheduling will also allow teachers to take on leadership roles outside the classroom wh... more
by Susan Bandler
 
Yes, this would increase retention of teachers with families. For teachers that have children att... more
13
Vote

Mary Levy (researcher, advocate), Callie Kozlak, Nicole Bohannon (global ed program director) and 10 more

TEACHER SUPPORT - Professional development
by DC State Board of Education
- Allow teacher input on professional development, content, and frequency - Provide trauma-infor... more
 
Teachers are on the front line of education working directly with all the issues from our society... more
by Angie Skinner
6
 
It is time that we stop just checking items off lists, and actually commit to developing teachers.
by Candace Davis (DC Teacher)
2
 
I would like to see a weekly half-day devoted to in-depth planning and collaboration with colleag... more
by Susan Bandler
2
 
The first two items here look like good ideas. But the third one--where is a half day per week go... more
by Emily M (parent)
 
The half-day option, used at my school, without truly following the first bullet (teacher-driven ... more
 
How about instead of a half day of PD, give teachers time to the things good teachers would love ... more
 
Allow teachers to take sabbaticals to further their education or add to the field of education re... more
by Carrie Roling, parent & teacher
 
We need to prioritize social-emotional support for teachers. DCPS is very much a students first d... more
by Tiffani Turner
11
Vote

KQ, Laura Fuchs (Teacher), Robin King and 8 more

DATA & RESEARCH - Exit surveys
by DC State Board of Education
- Develop and implement exit survey that captures non-identifiable information for all teachers w... more
 
Yes. Lets quit making the same mistakes.
by Beth Sewell
1
11
Vote

Alexander Rose-Henig (School Level Leader - Charter Sector), Nicole Bohannon (global ed program director), Laura Fuchs (Teacher) and 8 more

SCHOOL CLIMATE - Transparent, two-way communication
by DC State Board of Education
- Implement communication practices that honor and increase teacher voice
 
Teachers are highly educated, passionate and involved civil servants who understand and deal with... more
by Angie Skinner
1
 
A robust civic voice including parents and community members should be honored. However, I also ... more
by Beth Sewell
1
 
School leaders must welcome critical feedback. It is dangerous to create situations where teacher... more
by Carrie Roling, parent & teacher
10
Vote

KQ, Melanie Berry, Laura Fuchs (Teacher) and 7 more

SCHOOL CLIMATE - Access to resources
by DC State Board of Education
- Ensure that teachers and staff can actively utilize area resources without heavy administrative... more
10
Vote

Callie Kozlak, KQ, Nicole Bohannon (global ed program director) and 7 more

TEACHER SUPPORT - Mentorship
by DC State Board of Education
- Develop and improve mentorship programs for early teachers, underperforming teachers, and admin... more
 
Mentorship programs are heavily underrated. Throwing a first year teacher into a classroom withou... more
by Candace Davis (DC Teacher)
2
 
The best mentorship program is having experienced teachers on staff who are committed to the scho... more
by Liz Koenig (teacher)
1
 
Teacher residency programs as in medicine would be the responsible way to bring on new staff.
by Carrie Roling, parent & teacher
9
Vote

Mary Levy (researcher, advocate), Callie Kozlak, Laura Fuchs (Teacher) and 6 more

HUMAN RESOURCES - Once hired, ongoing support
by DC State Board of Education
- Implement 3-year teacher/principal contracts - Maintain non-salary-based incentives - Ensure ... more
 
Principals should have at least 3 years to improve a school. A new DCPS teacher should have at l... more
by Mary Collins
1
 
Create cohorts of new teachers that meet at least 3 times a year outside of school so they have a... more
by Grace Park
6
Vote

Mary Levy (researcher, advocate), Nicole Bohannon (global ed program director), Laura Fuchs (Teacher) and 3 more

TEACHER SUPPORT - Progression and advancement
by DC State Board of Education
- Provide opportunities for career advancement: create a career ladder for teachers to develop, b... more
 
More teachers should have opportunities for career growth beyond seeking to be a principals or AP... more
by Angie Skinner
6
 
While we expect and should require all administrators to have a strong teaching background, it is... more
by Candace Davis (DC teacher)
6
Vote

Mia, Omar Saibou, Richard Trogisch and 3 more

DATA & RESEARCH - Annual Reporting
by DC State Board of Education
- Require annual data reporting on report cards that uses consistent demographic information (e.g... more
4
Vote

Nicole Bohannon (global ed program director), Sandra Moscoso Mills, Harry Willis and 1 more

Principal Evaluations
Just as student surveys are included in a teacher's evaluations, staff survey data (teachers, soc... more
 
Right now taking the INSIGHT survey seems like a waste of time because I don't see actions in res... more
2
3
Vote
KK
Mary Levy (researcher, advocate)
TS
The people in the school and classroom know what the problems are and have the solutions. Talk to them not outsider with a long list of jobs held. Change practices that have not worked in the past
by Mary Collins
 
That would seem to be the purpose of this survey, no?
by anon
2
Vote
Chase Mitchell
Omar Saibou
DATA & RESEARCH - Common definitions
by DC State Board of Education
- Establish common definition of retention - Establish common definition of teacher/educator, ad... more
 
HR should have a job description for each worker and each worker should have a copy when they app... more
by Mary Collins
2
Vote
Geraldine S. Jackson
Sandra Moscoso Mills
Use data appropriately and ethically. Create evaluations of students, teachers, and principals that are more comprehensive than a set of numbers.
by Carrie Roling, parent & teacher
-When too much emphasis is put onto numbers, there is pressure to meet the needs of the data not ... more
2
Vote
Angelo Parodi
Melanie Berry
Family Friendly Schools
As a former teacher , I left to take care of a newborn child. In its current iteration, most publ... more
 
It would be interesting to have some quantitative info on how prevalent this is as a reason for t... more
by Emily M (parent)
1
Vote
Omar Saibou
Unionize DC Charter School Teachers
by David Koenig
Charter school teachers should be supported and encouraged in their efforts to form unions. Unio... more
1
Vote
Melanie Berry
Inclusion of programs in underserved schools that will provide exposure equity.
by RB
Ensuring Title 1 schools in the district has partnerships with local businesses, companies and pr... more
1
Vote
Melanie Berry
Teacher and parent involvement in curriculum that is proposed to be rolled out.
As curriculum are rolled into classrooms there needs to be a more proactive way of preparing pare... more
1
Vote
Chase Mitchell
Go back to the basics
by Kara Lewis
1
Vote
Nicole Noel
DCPS should strategically retain approximately 25 wrestling coaches, 15 of whom are women, and 25 mediators into the teaching staff of DCPS over the next year, and develop wrestling and mediation courses and clinics, as well as mediation standards, needed City-wide, k-college. DCPS may should al... more
 
Wrestling courses and coaches, particularly women coaches, will advance DCPS student skills and h... more
0
Vote
Include Charter School Teachers in the DCPS Retirement System
by David Koenig
It is difficult for anyone to envision teaching in a charter school for their entire career, in p... more
0
Vote
mia_101mail@yahoo.com
0
Vote
It's TIME WE STOP RESEARCHING OUR CHILDREN AND PUT OUR RESEARCH INTO ACTION! If we are forced to use testing; let's use it in Meaningful Ways. Let's not solely liunk it to funding.
by Jill Telford, Teacher
Why do we as public schools need to do so much standardized testing? Meanwhile, at private school... more
0
Vote
Teacher Support
0
Vote

Comments

Janel

All of this is fascinating and so many wonderful suggestions for practical solutions! I only wish I had discovered the opportunity to contribute/vote before today. Current;y reading through all 50+ pages of the Turnover Report; great work! Keep it up!!

Wed, Dec 19, 2018

Reply to this comment
Chantal

What will be the board’s power in making sure these things go before city council and there are hearings on it? We keep filling out forms and the Mayor is continuing to do as she pleases, without being held accountable. The buck has to stop here!

Tue, Dec 4, 2018

Reply to this comment
Geraldine S. Jackson

The entire list of suggestions that I voted in favor of are all listed for dramatic improvements in the DC Public School System!
Geraldine S. Jackson/BS/MA--Retired

Tue, Dec 4, 2018

DC State Board of Education

Thank you for taking the time to vote, Geraldine. We sincerely appreciate your engagement with us during this process.

Tue, Dec 4, 2018

Reply to this comment

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