Columbia, South Carolina (WSPA) — Education leaders in South Carolina said one of their top priorities is keeping new teachers in the classroom.
Data show that more than 3,000 teachers with five years or less of experience quit their jobs before the start of the school year. This accounts for 36{ea2cba5bdf6fe62bbe85e24807814144a71e77d3ae7311fbc27a008558d1372c} of her over 8,000 departures reported by the school district.
To help, the South Carolina Teacher Recruitment and Retention Task Force is taking a closer look at successful retention programs.
About five years ago, the Department of Education at the University of South Carolina launched the Carolina Teacher Placement Program, also known as CarolinaTIP.
Director Nicole Skene says, “What we do and how we do it was built for teachers, by teachers, and with teachers.”
She told the task force about the program. She said her three-year program now supports more than 200 teachers. Also, in recent years she has expanded to non-USC alumni.
“We can hire, hire, hire, but if we can’t keep teachers, it’s all in vain,” says Skeen.
After reviewing five years of data, Skeen said the program is working. His annual retention rate is over 90{ea2cba5bdf6fe62bbe85e24807814144a71e77d3ae7311fbc27a008558d1372c}.
“Carolina-TIP retention remains at a state and national average of 30 to 40 percent,” Skeen said.
CarolinaTIP not only puts quality teachers in classrooms, it also helps school districts save money.
On average, replacement teachers cost about $20,000, Skeen said.
CarolinaTIP currently supports teachers in 184 schools.
