Resources for Indispensable Schools and Educators (RISE), is a national nonprofit organization that helps K-12 public schools in low-income communities attract and retain experienced, talented teachers so all students can achieve at high levels.

The Problem We Solve

Students in low-income communities face undeniable challenges in attaining a high-quality education. The single greatest factor in a student’s academic growth is the effectiveness of individual teachers, however, as many as 70% of teachers in low-income communities leave within five years of entering the profession. Effective educators are the first to leave.

The RISE Approach
RISE’s theory of change is clear: Effective teachers are the key to student learning, so schools in low-income communities must attract and retain talented, experienced teachers.

Research shows that teacher working conditions, more than pay, drive a teacher’s decision to stay at or leave a school (Ingersoll, Futernick). RISE creates lasting partnerships with schools serving low-income communities to improve teacher retention and attract quality teachers.

By administering a Teaching Conditions Survey at Partner Schools, RISE provides principals and teacher leaders with the data from their teachers needed to strengthen work environments and become both highly achieving and highly sustainable.

RISE makes the same data about those schools available to job-seeking teachers who have demonstrated success and commitment to helping all students achieve at high levels. This innovation creates a transparent marketplace where teachers can make an informed decision about whether a school is the right fit and principals have a powerful incentive to improve.