EPIC WORK

EPIC launched the Kansas Teacher Retention Initiative in the summer of 2021. This initiative focuses on measuring, understanding, interpreting, and disseminating data-driven insights regarding the driving factors of teacher retention within school districts and across the State of Kansas.

In partnership with key organizations such as the Kansas Association of Schools Boards, Kansas National Education Association, United School Administrators, and Emporia State University, the Kansas Teacher Retention Survey is deployed and administered annually to all teachers in Kansas.

2023 Kansas Teacher Retention Initiative

Building on insights from the inaugural KTRI study, the 2023 KTRI offers a renewed perspective, aiming to amplify educators’ voices and examine trends longitudinally. 

Key Findings

We saw a notable surge in participation from 2022, with over 24,000 Kansas educators contributing their perspectives, resulting in an overall response rate of 60%. Key findings related to satisfaction and engagement include:

  • 27% of respondents were in the first 3 years of teaching
  • ‘Being Connected’ remained the highest rated engagement item
  • 20% increase in satisfaction with teaching compared to 2021 survey
  • 30% increase in mental health support compared to 2021 survey

2022 Kansas Teacher Retention Initiative

The inaugural KTRI was conducted between October and December of 2021, with more than 20,000 educators participating.

Key Findings

The 2022 Kansas Teacher Retention Survey found the following to be significant drivers of engagement, while also being areas of low educator satisfaction and indicators of educators likely leaving the teaching profession:

  • A district’s attention and approach to supporting educator’s mental and emotional health
  • Quality of professional development days/opportunities
  • Vision and leadership of the Board of Education
  • Society’s view of the education profession
  • Current salary
  • Ability to request and secure a substitute teacher for absences
  • Amount of planning time provided

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How can your district improve engagement with its most valuable resource? Let’s strategize together.