Louisiana Department of Education Says Public School Teacher Loss Rate Is Steady

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Louisiana education officials say the overall rate at which teachers are leaving public schools in the state has been steady, despite a recent sharp increase in retirements reported by the state's teacher retirement system.

Those figures showed the number of teachers retiring increasing to 3,295 in the year that ended June 30, compared to 2,598 the previous year.

The Department of Education analysis released Monday shows the overall rate of teachers leaving their jobs — for retirement, promotion or other reasons — has held steady at around 12 percent.

Some local superintendents have complained that their systems were strained when retirements increased as Gov. Bobby Jindal pushed his education overhaul package. State Superintendent John White said data shows that teachers who have stayed are more likely to be highly effective.