Across the United States, school districts, both large and small, are facing challenges with recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers.

REL Northwest is partnering with Lower Kuskokwim School District in Alaska to identify evidence-based strategies and tools to continuously monitor and improve working conditions with the goal of increasing teacher retention.

As a first step in assisting Lower Kuskokwim, REL Northwest staff reviewed and summarized research on working conditions and teacher retention. This fact sheet, “Addressing Working Conditions to Improve Teacher Retention: An Exploration of the Research,” describes eight categories that may influence a teacher’s decision to stay or leave. District leaders may consider developing strategies to address these factors to support teacher retention.