Teacher turnover remains a significant challenge for Hawaii's public schools, according to a recent report by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. The continuous outflow of educators impacts the consistency of instruction and places additional burdens on the Department of Education as it strives to maintain quality education across the islands.
The issue is multifaceted, with the high cost of living being a major contributor, as highlighted by HSTA's analysis. The Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association has proposed several key solutions to improve teacher retention, recognizing that retaining teachers is an ongoing challenge. Approximately half of new teachers remain in the profession after five years, according to data cited from the Hawaiʻi School Facilities Authority.
Adding to the problem, Civil Beat's reporting reveals that Hawaii is increasingly relying on unlicensed teachers to fill teaching vacancies. The number of emergency hires has significantly increased in recent years. This trend raises concerns about the qualifications of educators in the classrooms and its potential effects on students’ academic performance.
To address compensation concerns, a recent study recommends implementing automatic step pay increases for teachers and creating a dedicated human resources help desk, as reported by HSTA. These are among the recommendations from an in-depth Compensation Impact Study that provides a detailed analysis of teacher pay structures, equity, and competitiveness, in addition to recommendations for modernization. These efforts are crucial not only for the education system but also for the state's long-term economic prosperity, as a robust education system is essential for developing a skilled workforce.
