Our new research shows that the educator workforce in Greater Milwaukee is stretched, with districts struggling to retain current teachers and the supply of new teachers to fill vacancies shrinking over a recent five-year period.
Key findings:
- Enrollments in Wisconsin teacher preparation programs are down 27.9%. Nationwide, enrollments are down 35.3%.
- More than a quarter of the teaching workforce in Metro Milwaukee is over age 50; as this group ages, departures are likely to become more numerous.
- About 62% of newly hired teachers in Metro Milwaukee are in their first year of teaching.
- According to local school district human resources professionals, aside from retirement, most teachers leave for money or family obligations.