Teacher and Principal Turnover Rates Surge in Alaska Schools

Data from the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) reveals a troubling trend in Alaska’s education sector: teacher and principal turnover rates have risen significantly, surpassing levels seen prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. This increase comes as the state actively seeks to enhance teacher retention and recruitment strategies.

During a recent meeting of the State Board of Education, Dayna DeFeo, director of the Center for Alaska Education Policy Research, reported that the turnover rates among educators have consistently escalated. “We’re seeing just a fairly steady, consistent upward trend,” she stated. “We’re going to see this pattern no matter how we splice the data.” The statistics indicate that in 2024, 17% of teachers and 27% of principals left their respective school districts.

While turnover rates decreased during the pandemic, the latest findings show an overall increase since 2013. This research builds on previous studies conducted by the Regional Education Laboratory Northwest, which examined turnover rates in 2019 and 2021. Notably, principal turnover remains generally higher than that of teachers, but the trends can vary significantly based on the type of community.

DeFeo emphasized the complexities of the data, indicating that “educator turnover is not a monolith.” She explained that turnover patterns differ across various contexts, making it crucial to understand these nuances when developing policies and programs aimed at addressing the issue. For instance, in 2024, principals in rural communities left schools at a higher rate than teachers. Conversely, in urban areas, around 30% of teachers departed, compared to 21% of principals.

According to the state Legislature, teacher turnover rates in Alaska exceeded the national average from 2012 to 2021. This persistent high turnover has been evident since at least 2020, prompting educational institutions to implement initiatives like a teacher apprenticeship program at University of Alaska Anchorage and University of Alaska Fairbanks. Additionally, the University of Alaska Southeast plans to launch a principal training program in the upcoming fall.

In a follow-up interview with KTOO, DeFeo highlighted plans to survey teachers in February to identify key factors influencing their decisions to leave the profession. “What we can see pretty clearly is who stays and who goes. We can do that very accurately,” she noted. “What we don’t know all the time is, why? Why they make those choices.”

As Alaska grapples with these challenges, the continued rise in turnover rates underscores the need for targeted interventions to stabilize the teaching workforce and foster a more sustainable educational environment for students across the state.