Article Summary –
A new report from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) indicates a serious issue with teacher retention in the state. While Wisconsin is more successful than surrounding states in attracting and licensing teachers, it struggles to retain them long-term, with a significant number leaving either the profession or the state within their first six years of teaching. The report suggests reasons for departure include a 19% drop in teachers’ average compensation when adjusted for inflation over the last 14 years, and dwindling applicants for vacant teaching positions, which are typically filled by substitute teachers or those not meeting preferred standards.
Wisconsin Report Reveals Massive Teacher Retention Issue
A recent report by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) indicates major challenges in teacher retention, despite the state’s success in attracting and licensing new educators. Following the completion of teaching credential programs and the initial years in service, the state sees the most significant loss of educators.
During the 2021-2022 academic year, approximately 5,000 students completed an educator preparation program, according to the report. Of these, only about 4,000 became licensed teachers, and a mere 3,400 were eventually employed in a Wisconsin public school.
The data suggests that roughly 40% of newly licensed teachers in Wisconsin leave the profession or the state within their first six years. State Superintendent Jill Underly highlights this as evidence of a crisis in the education workforce affecting Wisconsin’s children’s quality of education.
The report pinpoints potential reasons for this exodus, one being a 19% decline in average teacher compensation over the past 14 years, adjusted for inflation. A DPI survey in fall 2023 listed compensation as a reason cited by districts for teachers leaving their posts after the 2022-2023 academic year.
The report also notes that average earnings for Wisconsin teachers fell below the average salary for bachelor’s degree holders in the state post-2020. In 2022, the median salary for a Wisconsin teacher was slightly over $57,000.
According to the DPI, most districts reported few applicants for vacant teaching positions, dealing with vacancies by hiring substitute teachers with short-term licenses or teachers who did not meet their preferred standards. The DPI issued about 3,300 short-term teaching licenses during the 2021-2022 academic year.
State Superintendent Underly calls for appropriate pay, respect, and community support for teachers to address this issue, promising continued efforts from the DPI to fight for students, educators, and public schools.
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