Anyone who has examined the issues for any significant period of time realizes that the real problem related to teachers is
addressing teacher retention rates and keeping better qualified and more experienced teachers in tougher schools.
What to know: The Mississippi Department of Education's (MDE) plan stands out for aligning its
teacher recruitment and
retention efforts with its ambitious goals for increasing student academic achievement by 2025 and clearly stating its role in supporting districts to
address equity concerns.10 The MDE recognizes that in order to reach its stated goals — which include a proposed graduation
rate of 90 percent for all students by 2025 — they must also support districts in recruiting and retaining
teachers of color who are prepared to improve student outcomes.