Communities Are Built Around Their Schools

Schools are built by the teachers and leaders who show up for kids every day.

Educator Working Conditions are
Student Learning Conditions

For South Dakota students to thrive and compete, they need exceptional teachers.

However, the state faces critical challenges:

  • Educator burnout and turnover are significantly impacting student outcomes across all areas.

  • Retention and recruitment are pressing issues, particularly in rural communities.

The growing educator shortages are driven by:

  • An increasing number of teachers considering leaving the profession.

  • A declining pool of educators committed to long-term careers in teaching.

Why Retaining SD’s Educator Workforce Matters

Educators are a vital part of the state’s workforce.  Today, the state ranks in the middle  of the nation for “teacher attractiveness,” and many educators report an absence of “supportive and encouraging” work environments.
Turnover Costs Cards

South Dakota's Teacher Pipeline, Last Year:

  • 1,000+ departures
  • Career exits > retirements
  • <50% of vacancies filled
  • Unstaffed classrooms across the state

This level of turnover is costly, both financially and academically.

Financially
Last year's teacher turnover is estimated to have cost the state at least $18 million in taxpayer dollars.
Academically
The strongest in-school factor for student achievement is a great teacher, and research shows that students can lose up to a half-year of learning when their teacher leaves mid-stream.

Keeping our teachers — supporting them to be well and to teach well — is one of the most direct and effective levers for improving student outcomes and sustaining our communities across South Dakota.

Vital Network’s Five-Year Plan to Transform Education in South Dakota

With legislative support, we can:

  • Serve the unique needs of all districts opting into the partnership.

  • Build state capacity to sustain this work by training local education leaders to deliver Vital-powered support to rural and small districts.

  • Build state-level data systems and leadership in teacher and principal retention and well-being.

  • Explore innovations in HR and school board level supports that contribute to retention and well-being.

Check Out Our Work With North Dakota

Launched the Vital program with large, medium, and small districts in rural and urban communities.

  • Launched Vital with large, medium, and small districts in rural and urban communities.

  • Partnered with the state council on education leaders (NDCEL) and regional agencies to tailor the model for unique local contacts and deepen impact.

  • Contributed to the Governor’s Task Force on Teacher Retention.

  • Initiated school administrator retention efforts

  • Established a research partnership with DPI to identify actionable strategies to increase teacher retention.

Listen to Jeff McKenna, Chief Human Capital Officer, Fargo Public Schools talk about their experience working with Vital Network.

View The Case Study

Let’s talk about how we can help South Dakota!