Teacher Turnover: Examining Exit Attrition, Teaching Area Transfer, and School Migration

Abstract

The purposes of this research were to quantify trends in three components of teacher turnover and to investigate claims of excessive teacher turnover as the predominant source of teacher shortages. Attrition and teaching area transfer rates were comparable in special and general education and increased substantially from 1991-1992 to 2000-2001. School migration was stable over years, but higher in special than general education. Although annual turnover was high and increased to 1 in 4 teachers (25.6%) by 2000-2001, teacher attrition was lower than in other occupations. Evidence suggests that retention is unlikely to increase without dramatic improvements in the organization, management, and funding of public schools. Until then, an increased supply of qualified teachers is needed to reduce teacher shortages. Disciplines Education CommentsReprinted from Exceptional Child, Volume 75, Issue 1, September 2008, pages 7-31.We have contacted the publisher regarding the deposit of this paper in ScholarlyCommons@Penn. No response has been received.This journal article is available at ScholarlyCommons: http://repository.upenn.edu/gse_pubs/ 184 ----------------i_------------

Should I Stay or Should I Go? Physical Education Teachers' Career Intentions

“…Teacher attrition rates markedly vary in different parts of the world; research shows that they range between 12-28% annually (Boe, 2007;Boe, Cook & Sunderland, 2008;Ingersoll & Merrill, 2010;Luekens, Lyter & Fox, 2004, 3). Looking more closely, however, annual attrition rates actually range between 5-30% (Boe et al, 2008;Macdonald, 1999). The highest attrition rates are generally seen in less developed countries, while lower levels are found in developed countries.…”

“…Annual area transfer rates are reported to vary between 10-14% and migration rates range between 7-10% (Boe et al, 2008;Cascone, Osborn, & Parker, 2011, 44-45;Ingersoll, 2002). Similar to annual attrition rates, area transfer rates in Finland are relatively low (2.2%) (Aho et al, 2009).…”

“…According to Nissinen and Välijärvi (2011, 58), the annual attrition rate is even lower (1.6%). Not surprisingly, area transfers and migration are more common in the early stages of the career (Boe et al, 2008).…”

“…(Billingsley, 2004;Ingersoll & Merrill, 2010;Guarino et al, 2006. ) As with job satisfaction, teaching experience is closely related to teacher turnover, with more experienced teachers being more likely to stay in the profession (Boe et al, 2008;Marvel, Lyter, Peltola, Strizek & Morton, 2006, 10). Along with the teaching experience, years in the same school are a predictor of staying in the profession (Mancuso, Roberts & White, 2010).…”

On Taking Responsibility

“…This issue's authors present ideas for managing responsibilities: Special educators report that their many responsibilities are often conflicting and sometimes overwhelming. Researchers have suggested that this contributes to stress, burnout, turnover, and attrition, poor quality services and lower educational outcomes for students (Billingsley, 2003;Boe, Cook, & Sunderland, 2008). Teachers, teacher educators, and school administrators need to collaborate to help special educators manage and balance their responsibilities as they work to achieve important individual and societal goals.…”