A Research Report from EPIC

Human Capital Challenges in Round 4 Partnership Districts

October 2023

The purpose of this report is to establish a baseline on the state of human capital in Round 4 of Partnership districts and schools during the year they were identified (2022-23). We describe their challenges related to teacher retention and recruitment and the consequences that these challenges have on school improvement efforts. We also provide an overview of the strategies that Partnership districts and schools were implementing to improve retention and recruitment. To do so, we bring together evidence from our annual survey of teachers and principals in Michigan’s Partnership districts, case studies of six Partnership districts, and statewide administrative data on teacher employment and turnover.

Key findings include:

1. Partnership districts, and especially Partnership schools in those districts, face substantial human capital challenges. These include high teacher turnover, difficulty recruiting teachers (especially experienced or high-quality teachers), and reliance on substitute teachers in lieu of credentialed candidates.
2. These human capital challenges are consequential for Partnership district and school improvement efforts, resulting in: lower instructional quality, obstacles to improving instructional practices and systems, and difficult working conditions for school leaders and teachers.
3. Partnership districts are enacting multiple strategies to address their human capital issues. Many districts are taking steps to strengthen their teacher recruitment pipelines, especially through Grow Your Own (GYO) teacher programs, and they are increasing salaries and offering other financial incentives to improve recruitment and retention. Partnership school leaders are focused on providing support to teachers and improving their working conditions.