Dive Brief:

• South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley on Monday unveiled a $6.9 billion initiative to recruit and retain teachers with the release of her new budget.
• The recruitment and retention effort is focused particularly on rural districts and others with the highest teacher-turnover rates.
• Also set for year two of Haley's three-year education commitment: Another $10 million for elementary reading coaches, bringing that program's funding to $40 million, and $29 million for tech upgrades.

Dive Insight:

There are a slew of details pertaining to the recruitment and retention plan. Among them: Students committing to teach in districts with turnover greater than 12% can get up to four years of tuition paid at a public institution, or those already out of school can have their loans gradually paid; new teachers could receive starting salaries of as much as $31,600; teachers in the classroom over five years can have two years of grad school paid; and high-quality teachers mentoring young teachers could be eligible for a $5,000 stipend in high-turnover districts.

Of course, funding this plan also means the state is deciding to do away with its stipend to National Board Certified teachers, according to The Augusta Chronicle.

Recruiting and keeping good teachers has been an issue for many states, so other states will likely be keeping an eye on Haley's efforts — especially if they prove successful. On the upside, new research shows that 70% of new teachers are sticking around longer than five years, so current trends may be in the program's favor.