2026 AEFP Annual Conference

Association for Education Finance and Policy (AEFP) Annual Conference | EPIC- Affiliated Sessions

Thursday, March 19, 2026

Session 1.01: Staying Power: Teacher Retention in Policy and Practice

Start your Thursday morning with a meaningful conversation about teacher shortage challenges and teacher retention efforts. Teacher shortages in Michigan mirror national trends, increasing by nearly 40% in recent years. While the Michigan Legislature has made significant investments in recruitment strategies far less attention has been devoted to educator retention.
At the same time, teacher mobility across districts and attrition from the profession continue to exceed pre-pandemic levels.

What will it take to recruit and retain great educators?

Session Chair – Madeline Mavrogordato

Time: 8:15-9:45am CDT

Swissôtel Chicago: Vevey 1

Session 3.02: Who Leaves Teaching and Why?

The Effects of the Partnership Model on Teacher Turnover in Michigan’s Lowest Performing Schools

Alex J Moran, University of Maryland, Baltimore; Erica Harbatkin, Florida State University

Time: 1:30PM-3:00pm CDT

Swissôtel Chicago: Vevey 2

Session 4.04: Funding Policy and Teachers

Unchecked and Unfunded: The Effects of Unfunded Liabilities on Michigan Teacher Pensions and Salaries

Jason Burns, Matthew J Guzman, Kevin Brown, Michigan State University

Time: 3:15-4:45pm CDT

Swissôtel Chicago: Vevey 4

Session 4.06: The Draw of Home Revisited

Home District Preference and Implications for Equity: Evidence from Teachers in Michigan

Salem Rogers1, Tyler Powell, Michigan State University

Time: 3:15-4:45pm CDT

Swissôtel Chicago: Montreux 2

Friday, March 20, 2026

Session 5.02: Who is Interested in Teaching?

Understanding the Scalability of Grow Your Own Teacher Pathways: Lessons from Michigan

Jennifer Moriarty, Jason Burns, Chukwuma Okoro, Tara Kilbride, Michigan State University

Time: 8:15-9:45am CDT

Swissôtel Chicago: Vevey 2

Session 6.02: From Staff, Aides, and Tutors to Teachers: Pathways into the Profession

Examining Implementation of a “Grow Your Own” Initiative to Expand the Educator Workforce

Hayley Weddle, Jennifer Moriarty, Katie Shanahan, Mary-Kay Murphy

Time: 10:00-11:30am CDT

Swissôtel Chicago: Vevey 2