| Teaching in the Milwaukee Schools is not all | | | | private schools. Many feel that the Milwaukee |
| that some think it will be. Young teachers | | | | Schools are filled with bad influences and |
| there have one of the highest turnover rates | | | | the neighborhoods are filled with crime. So, |
| in the nation. According to some in the | | | | these teachers from Milwaukee Schools move on |
| Milwaukee Schools, there are several reasons | | | | to other districts in the suburbs, and some |
| for this rate. One of the main reasons for | | | | on to other careers. Other teachers from |
| this high rate within the Milwaukee Schools | | | | Milwaukee Schools cited frustrations more |
| is the residency rule. Milwaukee Schools | | | | directly related to schools and classrooms as |
| require that teachers reside within the city. | | | | the main reason they moved on. One first year |
| At first, for young teachers, this does not | | | | teacher, a graduate of the University of |
| seem all that bad until they are actually | | | | Wisconsin, tells about a particularly bad |
| living in the city and cannot move. As they | | | | year at one north side school. She was hired |
| get married and start families, many want to | | | | to teach first grade, but also had some |
| move to the suburbs, but can't. Many | | | | five-year-old kindergarten students in her |
| teachers sighted other frustrations with the | | | | classroom. She was not given her mentor until |
| Milwaukee Schools as their reason for | | | | January, and was given absolutely no support |
| leaving. However, all agreed with the | | | | from school administration. She felt she had |
| National Commission on Teaching report that | | | | been left alone to sink or swim. And this is |
| states that high turnover affects the overall | | | | not an isolated experience. That is not fair |
| education of our students. Almost all said | | | | to the students of Milwaukee schools. Most |
| the story of the idealistic, eager, newcomer | | | | first year teachers cite school leadership |
| who doesn't last very long in the job is far | | | | and the lack of support as a main source of |
| too familiar. Of the 50 largest school | | | | either frustration. Some teachers in |
| districts in the US, only Milwaukee Schools | | | | Milwaukee schools that are not properly |
| and Chicago Schools have this residency rule. | | | | administered say they spend their entire day |
| It has long been a bone of contention with | | | | breaking up fights and issuing discipline |
| teachers, but always received strong support | | | | instead of teaching. It's hard to imagine how |
| from politicians. Young teachers get into the | | | | the Milwaukee Schools can provide for their |
| Milwaukee Schools because they are anxious to | | | | students, when they still can't support their |
| start their careers but, again, they begin | | | | teachers. |
| starting families and realize they will be | | | | |
| forced to live in the city and to send their | | | | Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools |
| children to those Milwaukee Schools unless | | | | K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all |
| they make other arrangements or pay for | | | | U.S. public and private K-12 schools. |