There are multiple ways for rural schools to access, hire and retain effective teachers even as more than half leave the district within five years, writes Helen Ryley, seasoned educator, author and consultant with Benchmark One.  Over 70 rural administrators advise state departments of education and their rural district peers to train more students as “teachers in the rural communities”; promote and market benefits of teaching in rural communities; ensure robust alternative  licensure programs; and create organizational cultures that prompt feelings of inclusion and engagement.  Using data from a study conducted in the Spring, 2012, this white paper focuses on the research and administrators’ recommendations supporting the four major phases of the employee search, hiring and retention life cycle. More . . .click here.