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