Revolutionize the Revolving Door of Teaching

By Tessa Bonney

The Issue

0Teacher turn-over in the United States is at an all time high0Anywhere between 40-50% of teachers leave

the classroom within their first 5 years09.5% leave before the end of their first year

0About 40% of teachers who receive undergraduate degrees in teaching never enter the classroom at all

The Issue0High attrition rates result in money lost for schools

The Issue0Disparities exist between schools

Source: Winginstitute.org

The Issue

0Teachers are leaving – but why?0Individual stress levels0Work-life balance struggles0Standards that are not realistic0Overwhelming amounts of after-hours work0Quick exhaustion0Not considered stakeholders

The Issue

Source: Winginstitute.org

The Issue: Main Takeaways

0Expectations are high, but teachers do not have much help in meeting those expectations.

0Difficult situations and difficult teaching and working environments encountered daily, without sufficient coping skills.

0This is bad for everyone involved: teachers, schools, funders, and especially for students.

The Solution

0Teachers need better skills to cope with the everyday challenges involved teaching.

0Mental health resources should be viewed and utilized as preventive services.

Venue and Vehicle

0State of Illinois0 Illinois School Code

Proposed ChangesChanges to the Illinois School Code:

(105 ILCS 5/10-22.3f)     Sec. 10-22.3f. Required health benefits. Insurance protection and benefits for employees shall provide the post-mastectomy care benefits required to be covered by a policy of accident and health insurance under Section 356t and the coverage required under Sections 356g, 356g.5, 356g.5-1, 356u, 356w, 356x, 356z.6, 356z.8, 356z.9, 356z.11, 356z.12, 356z.13, 356z.14, 356z.15, and 356z.22 of the Illinois Insurance Code. Insurance policies shall comply with Section 356z.19 of the Illinois Insurance Code. The coverage shall comply with Sections 155.22a and 355b of the Illinois Insurance Code. Mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorder or condition benefits for employees shall be covered in full, comparable to all preventive care services covered by a policy of accident and health insurance. This coverage will supersede benefits included under Section 370c.1. (Mental health parity) of the Illinois Insurance Code.

Policy Champions

Rep. Patricia Bellock (R)

Rep. Monique Davis (D)Rep. Emily McAsey (D)

Policy Champions

Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D) Sen. Heather Steans (D) Sen. Mattie Hunter (D)

Stakeholders

0Governmental0 Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)0 Chicago Public Schools0 Illinois Department of Human Services0 Illinois Department of Public Health0 Chicago Department of Public Health0 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Stakeholders

0 Non-governmental:0 Illinois Federation of Teachers0 Chicago Teachers Union0 Insurance companies0 Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association0 Coalition of Illinois Counselor Organizations0 National Alliance on Mental Health0 Mental Health America of Illinois0 Illinois Association of School Administrators0 Illinois Principals Association0 Illinois students and their families

Takeways

0Teachers are critical:0 They provide students with skills and knowledge

necessary to succeed in the world.0 They are first responders – they know their students

and they are a consistent face in their students’ lives.0 They have so much potential – don’t let it go to waste!

References0 Chicago Public Schools (2013). Benefits Overview. Retrieved from 0 http://www.nctq.org/docs/Benefits_New_Hire_Guide_12_7_2012.pdf

0 Fisher & Phillips, LLP. (2011). Labor and Employment Laws in the State of Illinois. 0 Retrieved from

http://www.laborlawyers.com/files/39570_Illinois%20State%20Law%20Booklet%20%28Revised%20August%202011%29.PDF 0 Illinois General Assembly (2015). Insurance (215 ILCS 5) Illinois Insurance Code. 0 Retrieved from http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=1249&ChapterID=22  0 Illinois General Assembly (2015). Schools (105 ILCS 5) School Code. Retrieved from 0 http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=1005&ChapterID=17  0 National Conference of State Legislatures (2015). State Laws Mandating or 0 Regulating Mental Health Benefits. Retrieved from

http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/mental-health-benefits-state-mandates.aspx  0 Rigg, Liz (2013). “Why Do Teachers Quit?”. The Atlantic. Retrieved from 0 http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2013/10/why-do-teachers-quit/280699/

0 Schaffhauser, Dian (2014). “The Problem Isn’t Teacher Recruiting; It’s Retention.” 0 The Journal: Transforming Education Through Technology. Retrieved from

http://thejournal.com/Articles/2014/07/17/The-Problem-Isnt-Teacher-Recruiting-Its-Retention.aspx?Page=1