This research brief by the Learning Policy Institute addresses the critical issue of attracting and retaining high-quality educators in the face of rising teacher demand and diminishing supply. The brief highlights the adverse effects of teacher attrition on student learning and taxpayer costs, with particular urgency for schools serving low-income students and students of color. It identifies five key factors influencing teachers' decisions to stay or leave the profession: salaries and compensation, preparation and entry costs, hiring and personnel management, induction and support for new teachers, and working conditions. The brief provides actionable recommendations for federal, state, and district-level policies to enhance teacher recruitment and retention, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive human capital systems to ensure all students have access to competent and committed educators.