Kansas Educator Engagement & Retention Study, 2023

Facing the persistent challenge of educator turnover in U.S. public school systems, the Kansas Teacher Retention Initiative (KTRI) has been relaunched to delve into the current state of the Kansas educator experience. Building on insights from the inaugural 2021 KTRI study launched in the summer of 2021 in response to a growing teacher shortage, the 2023 KTRI offers a renewed perspective, aiming to amplify educators' voices and examine trends longitudinally. The Kansas Teacher Retention Survey--a comprehensive tool meticulously crafted through extensive research and which aims to explore the critical drivers of teacher engagement and retention--was deployed and administered to all teachers in Kansas. For the 2023 KTRI, a notable surge in participation occurred, with over 24,000 Kansas educators contributing their perspectives, resulting in an overall response rate of 60%. This encompassed 50% of school districts achieving a response rate surpassing 50%, and 61% of districts qualifying for the standard report. The provided insights offer data-driven analysis along with strategic and actionable recommendations for school district leaders. [This report was produced by the Educator Perceptions and Insights Center (EPIC) in partnership with the United School Administrators of Kansas (USA-KS).]