Sebelius: Teacher working conditions affect student learning
Study highlights ways to enhance student achievement in Kansas schools

Improving teacher working conditions will help students learn at all levels, according to a recent statewide survey results.

The Kansas Teacher Working Conditions Survey collected data from approximately 22,000 teachers and administrators in almost 1,000 schools across the state.  The survey reveals a connection between working conditions and student achievement.

“That there’s a relationship between good working conditions for teachers and a quality learning environment for students has always been assumed, but this study shows the direct connection.  It also provides us with recommendations on how to improve working conditions, and as a result, student success,” said Governor Kathleen Sebelius.

Teacher working conditions include the amount of planning time, professional development opportunities, empowerment, facilities and resources made available to teachers. 

Among the study’s findings:

• Planning time and teacher empowerment are critical to improving student learning;
• Effective school leadership and a feeling of empowerment are key to teacher retention;
• Teachers and administrators view working conditions differently, yet having similar perceptions about a building’s work environment is critical to overall success; and
• Not all Kansas schools have the types of teaching and learning environments proven to retain teachers and ensure student success.

The study makes a variety of recommendations, including providing standards and guidelines for teacher working conditions so all schools understand the elements of having a positive school climate and closing the working conditions gap between schools by targeting resources to schools that need the most assistance.

The Kansas National Education Association and the United School Administrators of Kansas will work with individual schools and districts to improve their unique conditions for teaching and learning, while also informing state and district policies addressing teacher working conditions.

The study was facilitated by the Center for Teaching Quality, a national non-profit in Hillsborough North Carolina.  Preliminary results were announced last year, and to view the complete findings, please visit http://knea.org/news/2007/images/kansastwcreport.pdf.

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