Statewide Teacher and Administrator Survey
Dayna DeFeo, Ph.D.
Project Overview
Recruiting and retaining qualified educators remains an ongoing challenge for Alaska's schools. In 2020, Governor Dunleavy's Teacher Retention and Recruitment Task Force recommended a series of research initiatives to better understand and address challenges affecting Alaska's educator workforce. One recommendation called for a centralized statewide exit survey to identify factors influencing teachers' decisions to leave their positions.
Building on this recommendation, the Center for Alaska Education Policy Research (CAEPR) expanded the original concept into a comprehensive statewide educator survey. Rather than focusing exclusively on educators leaving their positions, the project examines teacher perceptions, job satisfaction, and factors influencing decisions to remain in or leave Alaska's education workforce.
The research is designed to compare responses from educators who intend to remain in their positions with those considering leaving. By linking survey responses with subsequent employment records, researchers will also be able to examine differences between educators' stated intentions and their actual employment decisions.
The resulting data will help the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, school districts, and education administrators better understand workforce retention challenges and inform policy decisions.
Project Activities and Timeline
The project began in summer 2024 with the development of statewide survey instruments and supporting research.
The teacher survey was administered in spring 2026, with preliminary findings and additional reports expected in 2027. Development of the administrator survey is underway, with administration anticipated in February–March 2027.
Completed research activities include the development of the educator survey instrument and an analysis of statewide teacher and principal turnover trends from 2013 through 2024.
Collaborators and Partners
The project is funded by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (AKDEED), which serves as a key partner.
CAEPR has also received input and support from education organizations and stakeholders, including Adams Analytic Solutions, Alaska Association of School Business Officials, Alaska College of Education Consortium, Alaska Council of School Administrators, Alaska Educator Retention and Recruitment Center steering committee, Alaska Municipal League, Alaska Superintendents Association, Association of Alaska School Boards, and National Education Association–Alaska.