Senator Janet Howell's SB360 reported from the Senate Committee
on Education and Health this morning on a unanimous vote. The bill requires "the Superintendent of
Public Instruction to develop and implement a system to track teacher turnover
and to annually report his findings to the General Assembly and the
Governor." The bill references exit
questionnaires for departing teachers.
President Gruber testified in support of the bill noting that the
report's findings will inform policy makers regarding the efficacy of Virginia's
efforts to attract and retain teachers.
She pointed out that teacher turnover is costly to school divisions,
with cost estimates ranging from 24 to 53 million dollars per year.
She informed the committee that the national teacher turnover,
which negatively affects student achievement, has gone from 9% a year to 20%
today. Turnover is highest in
high-poverty schools where students most need experienced teachers of high
quality.
SB360 now heads to the full Senate on the uncontested calendar.
