Fewer Title I teachers and nonteaching staff remained employed by Austin ISD in 2021-22 compared to 2020-21, according to data presented at AISD’s May 5 board meeting.
Retention rates for teachers at Title I campuses—where students from low-income families make up at least 40% of enrollment—fell from roughly 83% in the 2020-21 school year to about 79% in the 2022-23 school year.
Nonteaching staff retention rates were also down from close to 88% in 2020-21 to about 83% currently.
Of the over 500 Title I teachers who were no longer teaching at a Title I campus in 2021-22, more than 400 left AISD altogether. The second-largest group—about 40 teachers— moved to teach at non-Title I campuses, while roughly 20 moved to nonteaching positions at Title I campuses.
“It’s no secret that the entire nation is struggling to retain teachers,” said Brandi Hosack, the district’s assistant superintendent of human capital systems, at the May 5 meeting. “National statistics show that 23% of teachers are planning to leave at the end of the school year to pursue a different career, versus 16% prepandemic.”
Burnout was cited as the top contributor to teacher and staff turnover, according to national statistics referenced by Hosack. Contributing factors to burnout include a lack of resources and support, increased classroom behaviors, financial stress and feeling undervalued.
AISD’s Office of Human Capital identified several strategies for improving teacher and staff retention, including but not limited to:
• Providing specific leadership and mentorship to Title I principals
• Developing touch points with Title I campus teachers with a focus on retention and sustainability
• Conducting surveys and stay interviews
• Redesigning employee onboarding
Retention rates for both Title I teachers and nonteaching staff reflect preliminary numbers. The final figures will be determined in October.
