Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1508868
AROUND AEA 8 ADVOCATE | FALL 2023 I n May 2023, AEA commissioned a survey of our members through the polling company Qualtrics. e survey asked about working conditions, educators' priorities, and opinions about our state leaders. At the same time, we conducted a statewide listening tour with more than 100 participants. e results confirm that educator retention has become a crisis in Arizona's schools. Two-thirds of members say their burnout is the highest it's ever been, and seven in ten say they are likely to leave education earlier than planned. e factors driving burnout include low salaries, a lack of respect, student behaviors post-pandemic, and extra obligations beyond the classroom. Educators also mentioned the cost of healthcare (especially for families), a perceived hierarchy between certified and classified staff, and a sense that districts care more about recruiting new educators than retaining existing staff. "Quite a lot of time and mental bandwidth is spent on supporting students with IEPs and 504s…." "Nurse, mental health professional, police officer, parent, coach, financial planner, career counselor, professional reference… "We're losing teachers to the Valley for pay and cost of living." "I have one child and pay $500 a month for healthcare." "ESPs need a thriving wage. It's not just about the pay. It's about being able to live your life." Our members are clear on who is to blame for the conditions in our schools, and both Superintendent Tom Horne and the Arizona state legislature are extremely unpopular (89% and 84% unfavorable ratings, respectively). And 74% of our members believe that Arizona public schools are "pretty seriously off on the wrong track." At the same time, we have the solutions. Educators named higher salaries, support with discipline and student behavior, better retirement benefits, guaranteed annual raises, and smaller class sizes as their top priorities. Our members are very favorable towards our union. But we have work to do to engage them: just 32% say they are active with their local. It's time to change that! Statewide Educator Survey Results Source: Qualtrics Survey of AEA Members, May 2023 74 % of our members believe that Arizona public schools are "pretty seriously off on the wrong track" 74 % "pretty seriously o on the wrong track." 80% approve of the National Education Association, our national aliate 80 % 80 % 82 % 89 84 % % 82% approve of the Arizona Education Association 80% approve of their local union % 32 32% of AEA members say they are active with their local % 80% approve of the National Education Association, our national aliate 80 % 82 % 89 % 82% approve of the Arizona Education Association % 32 Approve of the National Education Association, our national affiliate Approve of the Arizona Education Association